Pill Bug
What are pill bugs?
Pill bugs, also known as rolly pollies, are actually a type of crustacean. That's right - they're related to crabs and shrimp! They get their name from their ability to roll up into a little ball when disturbed. Pill bugs are most active at night, when they come out to feed on decaying plants and organic matter. This is why you often see them in damp, dark places like basements and crawl spaces. These pests are black, gray, or brown and have seven pairs of legs. They are often mistaken for insects, but they are actually isopods. These pests eat dead leaves and other decaying plant matter. In the spring, female pill bugs lay their eggs in damp soil. The eggs hatch into nymphs, which look like miniature pillbugs. Nymphs molt six to twelve times before reaching adulthood. Pill bugs are most active at night and during wet weather. If you see pillbugs during the day, it usually means that their environment is too dry. Wetting your lawn or garden will keep pillbugs away. You can also put a fan near your plants to create a breeze that will deter these pests. If you have a pillbug infestation, contact Bigfoot Home Services for pest control in Boise, Idaho. We offer a variety of services to get rid of these pests for good!
Are pill bugs dangerous?
No, pill bugs are not dangerous, unless you're a plant. Unfortunately, pill bugs can damage live plants. They're especially fond of delicate seedlings and soft fruits and vegetables. If you have a pill bug problem in your garden, you may notice damaged leaves or small holes in your fruits and veggies. They can also be a nuisance if they invade your home in large numbers. These little critters are fond of damp, dark places, and they sometimes enter homes through cracks and crevices in the foundation. Once inside, they can quickly reproduce, leading to a full-blown infestation. While they don't bite or transmit disease, pill bugs can cause problems by eating your plants and contaminating food sources. If you have a pill bug infestation, the best course of action is to call a professional pest control company like Bigfoot Home Services. We have the experience and expertise to get rid of your pill bug problem quickly and efficiently.
Why do I have a pill bug problem?
So why do pill bugs seem to be so attracted to your property? There are a few reasons. First, they're drawn to moisture. If your yard is damp or has standing water, it's more likely to attract pill bugs. Second, they like areas with lots of organic matter. This could be anything from dead leaves to mulch or compost. Third, they're attracted to darkness. This is why you often see them in basements and other dark places. Finally, they're temperature sensitive. Pill bugs prefer cool temperatures, so they're more likely to be active in spring and fall.
Where will I find pill bugs?
Pill bugs live in moist areas and spend their time under rocks or logs. You can find them in your garden or near your trash cans. The good news is that they help decompose these things so new plants can grow in their place. Pill bugs are most active during the spring and fall seasons, and they are nocturnal creatures, so you're unlikely to see them during the day. If you're concerned about pill bugs taking over your property, give us a call at Bigfoot Home Services. We would be happy to help rid your place of these unwelcome guests!
How do I get rid of pill bugs?
If you have a pill bug problem, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. First, remove any sources of moisture from your property. This could mean fixing leaks, draining stagnant water, or simply removing wet mulch or leaves from your garden. Second, reduce the amount of organic matter in your yard by cleaning up dead leaves and trimming back overgrown vegetation. Finally, make your property less attractive to pill bugs by keeping it well lit and free of clutter where they can hide during the day.
Pill bugs are very persistent, and their strong armor means they have some heavy protection, with their bellies being their only weak point, and they can roll up to protect that as well. This makes them a difficult pest to get rid of entirely. But have no fear, Bigfoot is here. Bigfoot Home Services has years of pest control experience in the Boise area dealing with pill bugs. Call in the pros and Bigfoot will swallow these pills in one gulp!
FAQ
Picking the right pest control provider for your home isn't a decision you should make all willy nilly. We are confident that we provide the best service for the best value in the game, and we want you to feel that confidence as well. These are some of the most common questions we hear from new customers.
If you have any questions that aren't answered here, you can contact us through the form below, or by clicking the chat bubble in the bottom right.
Absolutely! Our word is our bond, so when we say we'll get rid of your pest problems, we are dead serious about that. If you see bugs between quarterly treatments, don't hesitate to text, call, or email our office so we can get a technician out to you ASAP.
If you see increased activity after a treatment, that usually means the bugs are freaking out because they know the end is nigh. The products we use have been scientifically designed for the long game. They don't kill on contact, they kill by sticking to bugs and letting them do the dirty work for us. Pests carry the insecticide back to the nest and spread it to the others, effectively wiping out the community, instead of individual bugs.
Our top-notch products usually take about two weeks to reach maximum effectiveness. If you have any concerns before or after that two week period, don't hesitate to text, call, or email our office so we can get a technician to your home to check on things.
Hate to break it to you, but that little can of Raid isn't going to cut it. You might kill a wasp or spider here and there, but there's a much bigger picture that you can't understand if you're not trained in the ways of the pest. As a matter of fact, if you kill a few pests, the hive can begin to sense that they are under attack and actually go into baby-making overdrive to offset the onslaught. That's why the products we use take time to spread. By the time the pests notice something is wrong, it's too late. Pest control is based on years of science, testing, and experimentation with products and application methods 1000x more advanced than the can of bug spray you got at Home Depot.
Unfortunately, bugs have a few million extra years of evolutionary survival skills on us, which makes them tricky little... buggers. It's impossible to kill every last bug, or prevent a single one from coming back. That's why we advocate for quarterly pest treatment: it's simply the best way to be bug-free in the long term. Bugs can still scurry, crawl, or fly into your home at any time, and that's why we offer free re-services between treatments. If the bugs come back, so do we.
We'll play it by eye, but it's typically unnecessary. 99% of the battle against pests is fought and won outdoors. We hit them hard at the source (outside), then create and maintain a barrier around your home to keep these pesky suckers out of your humble abode. Most of the time, only one of four yearly services will require indoor treatment, but we will always treat indoors if you see pest activity, or if you just want some extra peace of mind. We're not afraid to go the extra mile –anytime, anywhere.
Of course! We get it, pesticides have a bad rap and sound kind scary. You're trying to protect your family, so it would really suck if our products were more dangerous than the pests we're obliterating with them. Have no fear, the pesticides we use are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved, meaning they've been through a ton of rigorous tests to ensure they are safe for humans and animals alike. But we don't stop there, all of our technicians are highly trained and certified when it comes to the products and methods of application.
In our decades of experience, we've learned that one-time services end up being ineffective in the long run, and we don't want to mess with things that don't make your home a happier and safer place. Quarterly service allows us to maintain our Level Five barrier around your home, ensuring that these stupid bugs don't ever make it to the warmth and safety of the indoors of your home.
Long story short, it's (usually) a waste of your money and our time. Bugs are always active, but considerably less active in the winter months, and almost totally inactive outdoors. Don't worry though, we won't leave you hanging. If you notice a pest problem crop up inside your house from December–February, we'll be there to lay the smack down before you can say, "Jiminy Christmas!"
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