good bug or bad - Ask Extension
found a bunch of these in a bag of garden
soil that had been sitting around for a while when I emptied the bag to fill a hole in my vegetable garden...
Knowledgebase
good bug or bad #870264
Asked May 27, 2024, 12:13 PM EDT
found a bunch of these in a bag of garden
soil that had been sitting around for a while when I emptied the bag to fill a hole in my vegetable garden. I put off planting in that particular spot, hoping that you all could tell me whether I should keep it or attempt to eliminate it picture Follows. tx very much
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
I am not sure if this went through the first time so trying again. Found this bug in my garden when I emptied the bag of garden soil, which had been sitting around. For a while. I am sending two pictures below. Thank you very much
These are sowbugs or pillbugs. They are common in moist soils, compost, and mulches where they feed on decaying organic matter. Having a few of them in your soil is not harmful to most garden plants -- they are valuable decomposers in the soil. In high numbers though, they can sometimes do some damage to container-grown plants or root crops. Drier conditions are less hospitible for them. A few are not a problem and it's not recommended to use any insecticides on them.
This is a helpful page with more information: Pillbugs and Sowbugs
Christa
This is a helpful page with more information: Pillbugs and Sowbugs
Christa
thank you very much
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
On May 28, 2024, at 4:15 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
You're welcome.
