Signs of a Sowbug Infestation

All sorts of pests try their hardest to get inside our homes, where they’re safe from the elements and have access to an abundance of food. One of the less commonly talked-about pests we deal with are sowbugs. To shed some light on these critters, we’ve put together this post that will teach you everything there is to know about a sowbug infestation in Alaska.

Identifying a sowbug

Before we get too deep into how to stop them, it’d be helpful to know what a sowbug is and how to spot one in Alaska. Sowbugs are oval-shaped critters that are only about one centimeter long. Their small bodies have several segments, seven pairs of legs and two antennae. They have a shiny brown color and look a lot like pillbugs. However, unlike a pillbug, sowbugs can’t roll up when they’re disturbed.

How did I get them?

Sowbugs are attracted to mulch, leaves, plants and piles of other organic material, so you’ll typically find them outside in or around your garden. Sowbugs thrive in damp environments, so if they make their way inside, you’ll probably see them down in the basement. Cracks in the foundation are the easiest entry points for them.

How do I know there’s an infestation?

Knowing that you have a sowbug infestation in Alaska is as easy as spotting large groups of them. As mentioned above, you’ll usually find sowbugs down in the basement or outside in the garden or flower pots.

Is an infestation serious?

Luckily, sowbugs are harmless. Having an infestation of any pest is unpleasant, but having sowbugs around shouldn’t be a cause for concern. If anything, seeing sowbugs is a sign that you have too much indoor moisture and cracks in your foundation or walls. These issues are much more serious than a sowbug infestation itself.

How can I eliminate them?

Dealing with an infestation is easier than you might think. Follow these tips to prevent an infestation from occurring in the first place:

• Tidy up: Stacks of firewood, boards, logs, mulch piles and anything else that sowbugs could hide in should be moved far away from your house. Eliminating their hiding spaces makes your house harder to enter.
• Seal cracks: Since they’re so small, sowbugs can get in through pretty much any hole in your home. Make sure your foundation is crack-free and your exterior doors close tightly.
• Reduce moisture levels: Without tons of moisture in the air, sowbugs will shrivel up and die, so they only look for shelter in damp environments. Setting up a dehumidifier in the basement is an effective way to make your home less appealing to sowbugs.
• Call a pro: Finally, have an exterminator spray insecticide around your home. This professional barrier will deter sowbugs, cockroaches, ants, beetles and other nasty insects.

If you still need to know more about what sowbugs are, or if you need to get rid of them in Alaska, call the professionals at Pied Piper Pest Control. On top of handling all sorts of pest infestations, we offer paperless billing to ensure quick and eco-friendly payment options for our customers.

Categorised in: Insect Control

This post was written by Writer