Pill Bug / Roly-poly

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark places under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and in gardens. They avoid sunlight and dry conditions. Indoors, they might be found in basements, crawl spaces, or potted plants if moisture is present.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter such as dead plants, fungi, and rotting wood. They can also consume tender seedlings or fruits if other food sources are scarce.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal, most active at night. Their most distinctive behavior is conglobation, or rolling into a tight ball, when disturbed or threatened, to protect their softer underside. They breathe through pseudotracheae, which require high humidity.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans and pets. They can be beneficial in gardens by breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil. However, in large numbers, they may cause minor damage to young plants or ripe fruits, especially during dry conditions when they seek moisture from plants. They are not known to transmit diseases.

Identified on: 10/6/2025