Fun Fact Friday – Pill bugs
Here are key insights about pill bugs and their ecological role:
- Decomposers: Pill bugs break down decaying organic matter, such as leaves and wood, contributing to nutrient recycling in the soil
- Soil Health: Their activity helps aerate the soil, improving water and nutrient absorption, which benefits plant growth
- Prey for Other Species: Pill bugs serve as a food source for various animals, including spiders, birds, and amphibians, playing a part in the food web
- Moisture Dependence: Since pill bugs rely on moist environments to survive, they thrive in damp areas and can indicate excess moisture in gardens or homes
- Nutrient Recycling: Pill bugs engage in behaviors like coprophagy (re-eating feces), allowing them to recycle essential minerals such as copper and improve habitat health
While beneficial in moderate numbers, excessive populations may attract other moisture-loving pests. Maintaining balanced moisture levels and garden hygiene can help manage pill bug activity effectively.
Here are some additional facts:
- Pill bugs are active at night
- Pill bugs do not bite or sting people
- Pill bugs have seven pair of jointed legs
- Pill bugs range in size from 1/4 to 1/2 inch long
- When oxygenated, a Pill bug’s blood may appear blue
- Female Pill bugs carry their eggs around with them in a pouch
- Pill bugs often enter damp basements, crawl spaces, and buildings at ground level
- When the Pill bug is threatened it may roll into an armored little ball to protect itself
- Pill bugs breathe through gills and require moist environments to breathe, however, they cannot survive being submerged in water
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