The sow bug botanically known as Porcellio laevis is a small pest that moves by crawling, the sow bug is not classified as an insect because they do not fly either do they sting. As you continue reading further, in this article all important facts about sow bug and its infestation will be explained in detail giving you a clear understanding of this bug.
What is a Sow Bug?
Most people sometimes mistook this bug to be the mini-armadillo because of the similarities in appearance. The sowbug is a bug that has a bean-like shape with many small legs, it has a segmented body covered with armored plates.
These bugs shield themselves by rolling up, by doing this, the armored plate in its body covered all other body parts that can be easily attacked. However, this bug has an antenna though it is not easily seen, this antenna helps them in detecting a close-range threat.
Sow Bug Habitat
The sowbug enjoys building their habitat at dark places like under big rocks, under abandon bricks or stones, logs, compost, mulch, and wood stacks.
However, in places were decomposing organic debris is found it is the major areas where this bug mainly looks for food, as a result, they are likely to settle down here, this makes them similar to the woodlouse spider.
This bug won’t mind staying as long as a lifetime in dark and humid places if no threat occurs. Even when they come into our home, the will choose to stay in dark and damp areas.
Sow Bug Species
Our research which tallies with an article on Wikipedia shows that in recent years an estimated total value of 2,000 to 7,000 species of these spiders are extant in the past 5 years and is still dominating the world.
However, these bugs find it easy to adapt to various kinds of animals and the environment. This means that they can survive in arid areas and mountain slopes estimated to be 15,000 ft above the sea-level making them unique bugs.
Facts About Sow Bug
This bug is small bug classified as arthropods, they have 14 legs which makes them similar to a millipede and a centipede, this bug breathes through gills which makes them different.
Moreover, let’s look into one of the facts about this bug;
The Lifecycle of Sow Bug
This bug’s lifecycle has 2 stages which molting and hatching, for the molting stage, after mating the eggs grows in a shell-like exoskeleton structure, this takes about 2 to 3 days to form completely. However, the method in which this bug uses is different from any other arthropod, the female sow bug will then keep the fertilized eggs in a marsupium on the safe side of her body to prevent it from damage until it has completed the molting stage and ready to hatch.
This method of reproduction is a straight process different from the molting. The offspring of this bug after hatching appears in a small white-like curled ball. After safe hatching, the female sowbug is now ready for another reproduction process.
Appearance
This is not that complicated to identify, they are flat, oval bugs of about 10mm long and their body has various segments. They have 14 legs and 2 pairs of antennae, they also have a 1 pair of appendages looking like a tail. Though this bug has a name and difference most people take it to be a woodlouse.
Picture of a Sow Bug
Here’s a picture of a sow bug;
How Did Sow Bugs Get in My Home?
Keeping your home unkept, allowing damp and moisture sends an invitation to these bugs. However, this bug feed on decomposing organic debris found in damp areas, cracks, open space in a garage, windows, and doors are all entry points for these bugs. So in a situation where these are not taken care of, this bug will be found in your home shortly.
Also, not taking care of your outdoor environment gives open chances for this bug to build habitat, leaving dry or dead leaves, mulch, stagnant water, damp and moist areas, dead plants, and other pests which serves as diet will attract this bug to your environment and eventually they will come into your home.
Can a Sow Bug Fly?
Here’s a brief explanatory video of the flying pattern of this pest;
How Serious Are Sowbugs?
Answering this question, sowbugs are harmless to humans and animals, by eating other insects, they serve as a biological pest control agent. However, they do not cause any serious damages in your homes, most people get it exterminated because they are a nuisance or scared of it.
What Do They Eat?
As we mentioned earlier, this bug feed on decomposing organic debris and dead plants and insects. These diets are usually found in damp and moist areas.
Where Does Sow Bug Live?
In our early discussion, this bug live in dark places like under big rocks, under abandon bricks or stones, logs, compost, mulch, and wood stacks. However, most times the complete their lifecycle here.
How to Get Rid of Sow Bugs
Although this bug is harmless and also contribute to fertile soil by producing compost and overturning the soil. Some people can’t stand the chance of seeing this bug and this makes them want to get rid of it.
Techniques:
They are simple ways you can endorse to get rid and prevent this bug, before planning on getting rid of this bug, what should come into your mind is getting rid of their hideout. You can do this by following the steps below;
Keep your environment neat and tidy: This bug won’t survive for long without food, getting rid of damp and moist areas, stagnant water, dead debris, and plants will get rid of the pest because these are the place in which they build habitat and feed.
Proper disposal of waste: When waste like dead leaves and plants are properly disposed of it will get rid of this bug.
Get rid of abandoned wood and logs: By getting rid of wood and logs that are not in use in which this bug built a habitat is another way of preventing this bug.
Fix all leaks, cracks, and holes: Fixing roof leaks, cracks and holes which could have caused damp and moisture, in the long run, brings in this bug is a technique for prevention this bug from infesting your home. However, ensure your windows and door are firmly fixed to block spaces which could bring in this bug.
Clean and prevent moisture areas: Always ensure you clean and get rid of existing moisture areas around you and prevent it from reoccurrence. Also, Dampness in basement areas should be fixed.
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