Woodlouse (specifically the Common Woodlouse or Sowbug)

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark places such as under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and compost piles. They are also common in basements or crawlspaced if moisture is present.

Diet & Feeding

Detritivorous; they primarily eat decaying organic matter, dead plants, and occasionally rotting fruit or vegetables.

Behavior Patterns

They are nocturnal and generally avoid light to prevent desiccation. Unlike 'pill bugs', this species (sowbug) cannot roll into a complete ball. They are land-dwelling crustaceans that breathe through gill-like structures, necessitating a moist environment.

Risks & Benefits

They pose no risk to humans; they do not bite, sting, or carry diseases. They are highly beneficial to the ecosystem as decomposers, recycling nutrients back into the soil by breaking down organic waste.

Identified on: 4/16/2026