Rolly Pill Bugs-What To Feed Them

[ed2hess]

I am getting overun with pill bugs in flower beds. I use some of those little blue pellets for slugs and that knocked them out in the past. I know I can get some stuff by Ortho but wondering if there is something better.

[newz7151]

Ed, why would you want to kill a basically harmless and almost beneficial crustacean? They rarely IF EVER eat live plant matter, they are a processor of dead and decaying organic matter.

http://www.pestworldforkids.org/pillbugs.html

"DIET

Pill bugs mostly eat rotting vegetation like vegetables."

or, even better:

http://insects.about.com/od/isopods/...s-pillbugs.htm

[ed2hess]

Originally Posted by newz7151

Ed, why would you want to kill a basically harmless and almost beneficial crustacean? They rarely IF EVER eat live plant matter, they are a processor of dead and decaying organic matter.

http://www.pestworldforkids.org/pillbugs.html

"DIET

Pill bugs mostly eat rotting vegetation like vegetables."

or, even better:

http://insects.about.com/od/isopods/...s-pillbugs.htm

Now in the real world these guys are the only thing under every flower..so you want me to believe they are just bystanders and something else is eating the plants. I see holes in the blooms and again I don't see anybody else under the plants Well there are actually other things under the plants a few ants and smaller buys.......so I am looking to wipe em all out! By the way on beds that I didn't jump in fast enough the blooming has stopped and some plant completely dead.

[greendoctor]

How's about a drink instead? I am thinking Sevin 4L. Label rate per 1000 sq ft.

[ed2hess]

Originally Posted by greendoctor

How's about a drink instead? I am thinking Sevin 4L. Label rate per 1000 sq ft.

Kinda along the same line.....you can put a bowl of beer out there and they get in and get drunk and can't get out....it really works. that is what the local greenie guy told me and I tried it and it worked. But not on 80 beds. I don't know if I can get Sevin?

[greendoctor]

Sure. It has not been banned yet. It is not RUP in most states. The label rate per 1000 is applied as a full coverage spray to what is being eaten and the ground under the plants. This application will also kill slugs and snails that are not taking bait. Small round holes in plants suggest small slugs and snails are present.

[jvanvliet]

Originally Posted by ed2hess

Kinda along the same line.....you can put a bowl of beer out there and they get in and get drunk and can't get out....it really works. that is what the local greenie guy told me and I tried it and it worked. But not on 80 beds. I don't know if I can get Sevin?

Will you put some beer out in my yard?