Pill Bug / Roly-poly

Pill bugs prefer dark, damp environments with access to decaying vegetation. This includes under rocks, logs, leaf litter, mulch, garden debris, and sometimes in basements or other moist indoor areas.

Detritivore, primarily feeding on decaying organic matter such as dead leaves, rotting wood, fungi, and sometimes young plants or roots if other food sources are scarce. They play an important role in decomposition.

Pill bugs are primarily nocturnal. They are known for their ability to roll into a tight ball when disturbed, a behavior called conglobation, which protects them from predators and helps conserve moisture. They reproduce sexually, and females carry their eggs in a brood pouch (marsupium) on their underside.

Generally harmless to humans and do not bite or transmit diseases. They can be a nuisance if they enter homes in large numbers, often indicating high moisture levels. In gardens, excessive populations can sometimes damage tender plant seedlings. However, they are beneficial decomposers, contributing to soil health by breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil.