Sowbugs, often mistaken for insects, are actually crustaceans more closely related to lobsters and crayfish. These terrestrial isopods require high humidity to survive and are primarily active during the night. Understanding what do sowbugs eat is essential for managing their populations and preventing them from becoming household pests. While they are generally beneficial decomposers in outdoor ecosystems, their feeding habits can lead to damage in gardens or homes when populations surge.
Primary Food Sources in the Wild
In their natural woodland and coastal habitats, sowbugs play a crucial role in the ecosystem by breaking down organic matter. Their diet is primarily composed of decaying plant material, which they consume tirelessly. This process helps recycle nutrients back into the soil, promoting healthy plant growth. They are particularly fond of decomposing leaves, moss, and fungi, which provide the moisture and nutrients they need to thrive.
Fungi and Microorganisms
Sowbugs have a unique ability to digest cellulose, a component that is difficult for many other decomposers. They frequently feed on various types of fungi, including mold and mildew, which are abundant in damp environments. This preference for fungi makes them vital for controlling fungal growth in soil and leaf litter. Alongside fungi, they consume a variety of bacteria and other microscopic organisms that contribute to the decomposition process.
Common Dietary Targets in Gardens
When sowbugs venture closer to human habitation, their dietary preferences can shift from decomposing matter to living plants. They are known to feed on a wide variety of vegetation, particularly seedlings and young plants that are tender and high in moisture. Gardeners often notice irregular notches taken out of leaves or stems, which are telltale signs of sowbug activity. Their feeding can stunt the growth of plants and, in severe infestations, cause significant crop loss.
Seedlings and new transplants
Soft fruits like strawberries
The roots and tubers of young plants
Decaying vegetable matter in compost piles
Attractants and Feeding Triggers
The presence of moisture is the primary factor that influences where sowbugs feed. They are attracted to areas with high humidity, such as leaky pipes, damp basements, or overwatered houseplants. Organic debris, such as piles of leaves or rotting wood, creates an ideal feeding ground. If these moist environments are located near prized garden plants, the sowbugs will readily transition from scavenging to grazing.
Impact on Indoor Houseplants
Houseplants are susceptible to sowbug feeding, especially those that require consistently moist soil. The insects may chew on the young leaves near the base of the plant or damage the roots when they burrow into the potting mix. Overwatering is a common mistake that invites these pests indoors. Ensuring proper drainage and allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings can reduce the likelihood of an indoor invasion.
Differences Between Sowbugs and Pillbugs
It is important to distinguish between sowbugs and pillbugs, as their eating habits are similar but their behaviors differ. While both consume decaying matter and living plants, pillbugs have the ability to roll into a tight ball when threatened, a trait sowbugs lack. This distinction is relevant because their habitat preferences can vary slightly. Pillbugs tend to prefer more confined, humid spaces like under bark, while sowbugs are often found in more open, damp areas.
Management and Prevention Strategies
Controlling what do sowbugs eat starts with modifying the environment around your home. Removing clutter, such as boards, rocks, and dense vegetation, reduces the shelter available to these crustaceans. Ensuring that mulch is kept a few inches away from the foundation of your house can deter them from migrating indoors. By managing moisture levels and removing their food sources, you can effectively keep sowbug populations at bay without the need for harsh chemicals.
