Reduce Nuisance Pillbug Activity Around Your Home & Landscape
Pillbugs, also known as roly-polies or woodlice, are common outdoor pests that thrive in moist environments. While they do not bite, sting, or transmit disease, pillbugs can become a nuisance when they migrate indoors or begin feeding on tender plants and root systems in gardens and landscaping.
Pestcom Pest Management provides professional pillbug control services designed to reduce activity and prevent repeated invasions through moisture management and targeted exterior treatments.
What Are Pillbugs?
Pillbugs are small, gray crustaceans that live in soil, mulch, and leaf litter. They feed primarily on decaying organic matter but may also damage young plants, roots, and seedlings when populations are high. They require moisture to survive, which is why they are commonly found in damp areas around foundations, garden beds, and irrigation zones.
Are Pillbugs Dangerous?
Pillbugs are not dangerous to people or pets. They:
- Do not bite or sting
- Do not transmit diseases
- Do not infest furniture or stored items
Their primary impact is as a nuisance pest and occasional plant feeder.
Why Pillbugs Enter Homes
- Pillbugs typically wander indoors when:
- Outdoor areas become too wet or too dry
- Mulch and debris are thick near foundations
- Irrigation keeps soil constantly damp
- Gaps around doors, windows, and foundations allow entry
They cannot survive long indoors, but large numbers can be unsettling.
Our Pillbug Control Process
1) Inspection & Moisture Assessment
- Identify outdoor harborage zones
- Check irrigation, drainage, and mulch depth
- Locate entry points around foundations and doors
2) Targeted Exterior Treatment
- Apply residual treatments along foundations and entry points
- Treat shaded, moist, and high-pressure zones
- Intercept pillbugs before they reach the structure
3) Habitat & Moisture Reduction
- Recommendations to reduce irrigation and drainage issues
- Guidance on mulch, leaf litter, and groundcover
- Sealing small gaps and improving exclusion
Preparing for Pillbug Service
Before we arrive:
- Pull mulch, planters, and debris away from the foundation
- Reduce irrigation near the structure
- Clear access to exterior walls
After treatment:
- Avoid watering treated areas for the recommended time
- Maintain a dry, clear strip along the foundation
- Monitor for activity and report changes if needed
Preventing Future Pillbug Problems
- Keep mulch thin and pulled back from the foundation
- Fix drainage and irrigation leaks
- Water lawns earlier in the day
- Seal gaps around doors and utility lines
- Remove leaf litter and organic debris
Pillbug Control Service Areas
We provide professional pillbug control services throughout our service region.
👉 Looking for pillbug control in your city?
Visit one of our local pest control pages for area-specific service details.
Ready to Reduce Pillbug Activity?
Pillbugs may not be harmful, but they don’t belong in your home or garden. Professional treatment helps reduce activity and improve overall comfort.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection and learn more about effective pillbug control options.
Contact our Boise pest control experts today to schedule a thorough inspection and fast, effective pillbug control, regain peace of mind and protect your property this season.
How Do We Exterminate Pillbugs?
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Same-Day Pillbug InspectionOur technicians know a lot about pillbug infestations. We’ve applied pillbug removal treatments to hundreds of homes in our area. We know how to spot the signs of pillbugs immediately and where to find the source of the infestation. We will visit your home to search for:
- Possible infestation locations in the kitchen, bathroom, patio, and even in the walls.
- Signs of pillbugs, such as plant damage and sightings of the bugs themselves.
- Potential entry points for pillbugs, including cracks in the walls and foundation.
We complete a full inspection so we can understand the extent of the problem.
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Pillbug Treatment & Removal
We stop the infestation in its tracks by exterminating all traces of pillbugs in your home. Our treatments are tough on insects, but safe for your family and pets. This is what you can expect on the day of treatment:
- Our technicians come to your home at a time that is convenient for you, and they immediately get to work.
- We apply the necessary treatments to the infested areas of the home or yard.
- We inspect the infected areas to make sure every single pillbug is eliminated.
We use the most effective treatments in order to completely remove pillbug from your home. Our pillbug treatments are tough on pests but safe for your family and pets.
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Pillbug Preventative Treatments
Now that the pillbugs are gone from your Boise home, we make sure they never come back! To ensure that your home will be protected in the future, our technicians will do the following:
- Apply treatments in strategic locations to create a barrier around your home that keeps pillbugs out.
- Make recommendations to reduce the chance of an infestation, including sealing food containers and keeping surfaces clean.
- Return for regular treatments as necessary.
We want to make sure you never have to see pillbugs around your home again!
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Pillbugs in Our Area
Pillbugs can be found just about anywhere. They thrive inside and outside — in cold environments and hot ones. And they are located in nearly every corner of the planet, including Idaho.
In Idaho, you can find several types of pillbugs. The most common species in Idaho include:
- Armadillidium vulgare. This is the most well-known species of pillbug, often referred to as the common pillbug or roly-poly. It can roll into a tight ball when disturbed.
- Armadillidium nasatum. This species also has the ability to roll into a ball. It has a more elongated shape and a pronounced ridge along its back.
- Porcellio scaber. Porcellio scaber cannot roll into a ball. It has a rough, textured exoskeleton.
- Porcellionides pruinosus. This species has a more powdery appearance due to a fine layer of secretion on its exoskeleton. It is often found in moist environments.
- Cylisticus convexus. This species can partially roll into a ball and has a more convex shape compared to other pillbugs. It is less common but can still be found in Idaho.
You can find pillbugs in your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, yard or even in the walls of your home. Our team of Boise-based pest technicians are experts in pillbug control. We know where pillbugs like to hide and how to get rid of them quickly. If you are experiencing pillbug problems or if you want to avoid silverfish from invading your property, give Pestcom a call.
Our FAQ
Have questions? We are here to help. Still have questions or can't find the answer you need? Give us a call at 208-795-3298 today!
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Do you monitor after it’s resolved?Yes - monitoring and rechecks can be added, especially for canal-adjacent lots, open-field edges, or foothill neighborhoods.
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How many visits are typical?Initial setup + 1-2 follow-ups resolves most homes; severe cases may require additional checks and sealing.
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Will I need interior service or just exterior for rodents?We service both - interior where activity is present and exterior to stop new entry and pressure.
