Pillbug (Roly-Poly)
Family Armadillidiidae
Pest Stats
Color
Slate gray to brown, with a shiny shell made of overlapping plates
Size
About 1/3 to 3/4 inch long as adults
Shape
Oval and arched, rolls into a tight ball when touched
Region
Throughout Florida, in mulch, leaf litter, and damp soil around homes
What is a pillbug?
Pillbugs, also called roly-polies, are small gray creatures that curl into a ball when you touch them. They are not insects. In fact, they are isopods, a type of land-dwelling crustacean related to shrimp and crabs. According to UF/IFAS, the most common species, Armadillidium vulgare, came from Europe and now lives around the world. Pillbugs are harmless to people, pets, and your home, and outdoors they help break down dead leaves.
What do pillbugs look like?
Pillbugs look like tiny armadillos. Their gray, segmented shell helps them blend into soil, mulch, and leaf litter.
- Color: slate gray to brown, often with a shiny shell.
- Body: oval and arched, made of overlapping, armor-like plates.
- Legs: seven pairs, one pair for each body segment.
- Size: according to UF/IFAS, adults reach about 8.5 to 18 mm, or roughly 1/3 to 3/4 inch.
Quick ID tip: Try the roll test. A pillbug curls into a tight ball, while a sowbug cannot. Sowbugs are also flatter and have two small tail-like parts at the back end.
Where do pillbugs live?
Pillbugs need damp places to survive. They are active at night and hide during the day. Around South Florida homes, look for them here:
- Mulch beds and pine straw, especially right against the foundation
- Under leaf litter, palm fronds, and grass clippings
- Under potted plants, pavers, rocks, and boards
- Along damp patios and pool decks, where sprinklers keep the ground wet
- Indoors near doors and in garages, after slipping in through gaps
What do pillbugs eat?
Pillbugs feed mostly on decaying leaves and other dead plant material. According to UF/IFAS, their feeding in a central Florida forest raised soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels.
However, large numbers can nibble on seedlings, tender roots, and vegetables or fruit resting on wet soil. That is why gardeners sometimes see them as a minor pest.
Are pillbugs dangerous?
No. Pillbugs are one of the most harmless creatures you can find in your home.
- They do not bite, sting, or spread disease.
- According to UF/IFAS, they cause no damage inside homes. They are simply a nuisance.
- They do not eat wood, fabric, or stored food.
- Outdoors, large numbers may chew on seedlings and low-growing vegetables.
Management of pillbugs
Spraying the pillbugs you find on the floor will not stop the next ones. They come from outside, and they follow the moisture.
At Wise House Pest Control, we focus on the outside of your home, where the problem starts:
- Inspection of mulch beds, irrigation, drainage, and the foundation to find the damp spots
- Advice on simple changes, like pulling mulch back and adjusting sprinklers
- Checking door sweeps, weatherstripping, and floor-level cracks where pillbugs get in
- Targeted exterior perimeter treatment when numbers are high, safe for families and pets
Because the same conditions draw in other moisture pests, this work also helps keep cockroaches, silverfish, and millipedes away. For homes in Hobe Sound, Stuart, and Port St. Lucie, our maintenance plans keep them under control all year.
Need Help Getting Rid of pillbugs?
Contact Wise House Pest Control at (561) 727-8239 in Palm Beach County or (772) 783-4300 on the Treasure Coast for more information and a free quote on pest control services.
6 ways to keep pillbugs out of your home
Pillbugs follow moisture, so the goal is to dry out the area around your home. If you find a few inside, simply sweep them up and take them outside.
Pull mulch back from the foundation
Keep a 6 to 12 inch dry strip of gravel or bare ground between mulch beds and your walls.
Clear leaves and yard debris
Rake up leaves, palm fronds, and grass clippings, and move boards, stones, and firewood away from the house.
Water in the morning
Adjust sprinklers so they do not soak the walls, and avoid overwatering beds near the home.
Fix drainage and leaks
Point downspouts away from the foundation and repair leaky hose bibs and AC drain lines.
Seal entry points
Add door sweeps, replace worn weatherstripping, and caulk cracks at floor level.
Schedule routine pest control
Regular residential pest control keeps moisture pests in check, inside and out.
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