[GPI]

Woodlice - Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber.
by GPI

Woodlice are also commonly known as tiggyhogs, grey lads, God's little pigs and sowbugs.

Plants affected
No noteworthy effect on plants.

Season(s) present.
All year round

Woodlouse, photo / picture / image.

Appearance of damage.
None

Cause/appearance
4 to 15mms long, our common woodlouse are covered in a grey or pinkish-brown coloured, hard segmented shell. The lower edge of this shell is faintly white in colour.
Underneath the shell there are seven pairs of legs attached to a creamy-white body.
Two pointed tails at the back of their body and antennae on their head helps them feel their way around, making up for their poor eyesight.
Woodlice are to be found in the compost heap, under pots, pieces of wood, stones and the within the cracks in old wood/brickwork. Basically anywhere dark and damp, as Woodlice dry out easily, so they need a regular supply of dampness.
In the damp area where woodlice have been left uninnterupted for a while you may notice a faint fish or prawn-like smell. This is because they are related to the Crustaceans such crabs, prawns and lobsters etc.

Trouble?
The woodlouse poses no noteworthy threat to established plants or the gardener.
They feed mainly on dead or decaying plants and wood.
if you were to remove the woodlouse from your garden, the decomposition process in the soil would go much slower.
Occassionally they can nibble at the stems and lower leaves of young seedlings.

Organic or cultural control.
None needed normally. However, removing plant debris and rubbish around the site will result in a reduction of numbers.

Other Control.
None needed.


Video. Woodlice going about their day to day business.
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Video. Woodlouse close up.

Nature notes.
Please note that Irishgardeners.com does not advocate the removal of animal or insect life, instead, this forum encourages wildlife preservation. However, there are occasions where a wildlife becomes a problem within the garden for certain people. Be aware that wildlife is a link in the chain of life, benefiting something or someone down the chain. Please at least think about this before you remove wildlife from your site.

Any queries or comments on Woodlice - Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber and Armadillidium vulgare, please post below.

Back to Pests of the Garden in Ireland - Prevention and Control.
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