Woodlice belong to the crustaceans and, unlike the vast majority of crustaceans, do not live in water but on land.
Woodlice (Isopoda) belong to the crustaceans (Crustacea) and, unlike the vast majority of crustaceans, do not live in water but on land. Woodlice are blue-gray and about 13 mm in size; they can live up to three years.
Woodlice need a slightly moist environment; they do not tolerate drought. Woodlice live on dead organic material. They break down biological mass in the soil (humification) and improve soil structure.
Sometimes – if there are very many of them – they can cause damage to young plants by eating the roots. In a greenhouse (humid environment) they can be a pest.
Where to find
- General in vegetable and ornamental garden
Control
Woodlice are useful little animals; controlling them is out of the question.
Prevention
Woodlice are sometimes a pest in a greenhouse. This can be avoided by using fully decomposed compost and manure in the greenhouse, not letting weeds stand and clearing fallen leaves in a timely manner.
