5 Fascinating Facts About Pillbugs You Should Know in Toronto in 2026

Pillbugs, also called roly-polies, woodlice, armadillo bugs, or potato bugs, are tiny creatures with surprisingly interesting biology. With over 4,000 species worldwide, these little crustaceans have fourteen legs, segmented bodies, and a tail-like structure similar to lobsters. Pillbugs thrive in humid environments, feeding mainly on decaying plant material to get nutrients. If you want to uncover fascinating facts about these tiny critters often found beneath your flower pots, read on.

1. They Are Crustaceans

You might be surprised to know that pill bugs are not insects. Yes, they are called bugs, but they are actually crustaceans, like crabs, lobsters, shrimp, krill, copepods, amphipods, and more sessile creatures like barnacles. The crustacean prefers to spend most of their life on land. They have a segmented body with an exoskeleton for the protection of their soft body. Pillbugs have an open circulatory system with blood pumped by a heart. If you’re continually spotting pill bugs in your property, then you should take measures to keep them out, like contacting a pest control service near you.

2. They Are Capable of Conglobation

All of us know that conglobation refers to the process by which the insect rolls itself into a ball. Pillbugs’ body segments and exoskeleton enable it to shift perfectly for this process. When pill bugs feel threatened, they easily roll into balls. For instance, when humans put a little pressure on pill bugs’ bodies by touching them, they can trigger this reaction and turn into a ball. By rolling into a ball, pill bugs become less appealing to predators. It also helps them save water.

3. They Moult Periodically

Pillbugs shed their exoskeleton and get a new one periodically. The stages of shedding and growing of a new exoskeleton in pill bugs are referred to as moulting. Pillbugs moult about 4 to 5 times during the first year of life. This moulting is because they are growing and maturing speedily. The entire moulting process takes a few days, and pillbugs are in great danger during the absence of an exoskeleton. This danger is why they usually hide in the soil during this phase of shedding and the growth of a new exoskeleton.

4. They Love to Live Outside

When it comes to finding pill bugs in your residence, it is best to consider the outside area. If you have a plantation or lawns outside your commercial or residential space, chances are high you can found pill bugs in the way. Pillbugs are occasionally found in homes and businesses as they don’t want to leave the soil. Ensure to spend sufficient time to look beneath leaves, rocks, and mulch to unveil pill bugs living around your property. Sometimes they enter into a home in search of food and die a couple of days later. This demise is because Pillbugs do not reproduce or nest without soil like other pests. Finding them out and killing them is a time-consuming process, so it is best if you let pest control experts in your area deal with it.

5. They Damages Crop

Pillbugs are only unwelcomed guests when found in the home, but they are a serious issue if located in the garden or lawn. When pillbugs do not get enough decaying plant material to eat, they begin feeding on the roots of crops. If you have corn, beans, melons, or beets in your lawn, Pillbugs can seriously damage them. Fortunately, there are numerous DIY tricks that you can learn from Pest Control Toronto to effectively secure your lawns against pill bugs in different seasons of the year.

Conclusion

Knowing these facts will help you eliminate these pests from your lawns, yards, or gardens. The more you know about them, the easier it becomes. If you don’t have the time or energy to do it yourself, you can always contact a professional pest control service. It is easy, affordable, and will give you peace of mind.