Box Elder Bug Guide: Identification and Control in Boise
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Sowbugs & Pillbugs
Armadillidium vulgare (pillbug), Porcellio laevis (sowbug)
Updated May 2026 ยท Boise, ID
Sowbugs and pillbugs (roly-polies) are crustaceans, not insects. They're closer cousins to shrimp and crabs than to anything else in your yard. Pillbugs roll into a ball when disturbed; sowbugs cannot...
Quick Facts
Size10-15mm long
ColorGray to brown
Lifespan2-3 years
Active SeasonsYear-round, Invade when dry outside
Common LocationsBasements, Crawlspaces, Under mulch
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Identification
How to Identify Sowbugs & Pillbugs
Quick Answer
Sowbugs and pillbugs (roly-polies) are crustaceans, not insects. They're closer cousins to shrimp and crabs than to anything else in your yard.
Sowbugs and pillbugs (roly-polies) are crustaceans, not insects. They're closer cousins to shrimp and crabs than to anything else in your yard. Pillbugs roll into a ball when disturbed; sowbugs cannot. Both have segmented, oval bodies with seven pairs of legs and two tail-like appendages (more visible on sowbugs).
Behavior
Sowbugs & Pillbugs Behavior & Habits
Understanding how sowbugs & pillbugs behave helps prevent infestations
These creatures require moisture and die quickly in dry conditions. They eat decaying plant material and are typically found in damp areas under debris, mulch, and stones. They enter homes seeking moisture when outdoor conditions become dry.
Dangers
Sowbugs & Pillbugs Risks & Dangers
What sowbugs & pillbugs can do to your health and property
Health Risks
Sowbugs and pillbugs don't bite, sting, or transmit diseases. They're completely harmless to humans and pets.
Property Damage
No damage to structures or belongings. They may occasionally damage tender plant seedlings but are primarily decomposers of dead plant material.
Warning Signs
Signs of Sowbugs & Pillbugs Infestation
Look for these indicators in your home
Gray oval creatures under pots or debris
Roly-poly bugs curling into balls when poked
Activity in damp basement and crawlspace areas
Concentrations under mulch within 6 inches of the foundation
Dead ones along garage door tracks and basement window wells
Sowbugs & Pillbugs in Boise & the Treasure Valley
Most of our sowbug and pillbug calls in the Treasure Valley land between late June and September, when the summer dry-down pushes them off the lawn and toward the cool, damp slab at the foundation. We see the heaviest pressure in canal-side neighborhoods like Garden City, the Boise Bench, and Eagle Island, plus older Nampa and Caldwell homes where heavy bark mulch sits pushed right up against the stem wall. They almost always turn up in the same three places: under mulch within 6 inches of the foundation, behind landscaping rock that traps irrigation moisture, and on basement floors right after a heavy sprinkler cycle.
Our Solution
How We Eliminate Sowbugs & Pillbugs
Professional treatment for complete elimination
We work a 3-foot dry barrier around the foundation, pull mulch back from the stem wall during the inspection, and treat the harborage spots right up against the house (under rocks, behind hose bibs, at downspout splash zones). Indoor stragglers get spot-treated, but the real fix is cutting off the outdoor population. Most basement activity stops within a week once the perimeter is treated and the moisture source is identified. Your first visit is $49 with quarterly service.
Prevention
How to Prevent Sowbugs & Pillbugs
Steps you can take to reduce the risk of infestation
1
Reduce moisture around foundation2
Keep mulch at least 6 inches from foundation3
Remove leaf litter and debris near home4
Fix leaky outdoor faucets5
Improve drainage around home6
Ventilate crawlspaces and basementsFAQ
Sowbugs & Pillbugs Questions Answered
Common questions about identification, prevention, and treatment
Are roly-polies harmful?
No. Pillbugs (roly-polies) are completely harmless. They don't bite, spread disease, or damage property. They're actually beneficial decomposers that help break down dead plant material in gardens.
Why are they in my basement?
Sowbugs and pillbugs need constant moisture to survive. If they're showing up in your basement, you have a moisture problem somewhere. The usual culprits we find in Treasure Valley homes are a slow foundation leak, an over-irrigated flower bed against the stem wall, or water wicking through a cinder-block wall during the summer watering season.
Are these actually bugs?
No! Sowbugs and pillbugs are crustaceans, closely related to crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. They breathe through gill-like structures, which is why they require moist environments.
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