If you’ve ever turned over a damp rock or log in your garden, you’ve probably seen them scurry: those little gray armored bugs that curl into a ball. You might be wondering, what do rolly pollies eat? These tiny backyard scavengers have a simple diet that’s crucial for a healthy garden ecosystem.
They’re not insects but land crustaceans, related to shrimp and crabs! This means they need moisture to breathe through gills. Their eating habits are mostly beneficial, as they help clean up decaying plant matter. Let’s look at what’s on the menu for these humble garden residents.
What Do Rolly Pollies Eat
The primary diet of a rolly polly (also called pill bugs, woodlice, or sowbugs) is decaying organic material. They are nature’s ultimate recyclers. In your garden, they perform the vital task of breaking down dead stuff so plants can reuse the nutrients.
Here’s a detailed list of their favorite foods:
* Decaying Leaves and Wood: This is their staple. They consume dead leaves, rotting wood, and other decomposing plant debris.
* Decomposing Vegetables and Fruit: Fallen produce, like old strawberries or squash, is a feast for them.
* Dead Grass and Plant Roots: They’ll munch on roots that are already dead and decaying.
* Fungal Growth: They enjoy eating mold, mildew, and other fungi that grow on damp wood or soil.
* Animal Dung: Occasionally, they will help break down manure from herbivores.
* Sprouting Seedlings (Rarely): In very rare cases, if their normal food is scarce, they might nibble on tender seedlings. But this is not their preference.
Why Their Diet Makes Them Garden Helpers
Because they focus on material that’s already dead and rotting, rolly pollies are generally considered beneficial. They accelerate the composting process right in your soil. Their activity creates richer, more crumbly earth that’s full of nutrients for your plants.
They are not typically pests. If you see a lot of them, it’s usually a sign of healthy, moist soil with plenty of organic matter. They prefer to hide during the day and come out at night to feed.
When Do They Become a Nuisance?
Sometimes, rolly pollies populations can grow large. In these situations, you might find them in places you don’t want them. They might gather in damp basements or under doormats. Very occasionally, if there is a severe lack of their preferred food, they may turn to living plants.
This is most common with young, tender plants in very damp conditions. Seedlings that are right at soil level can be vulnerable. But remember, this is not their normal behavior. It’s a sign that their natural food sources are missing.
Creating a Rolly Polly Friendly Zone
If you want to encourage these decomposers (and keep them away from your seedlings), it’s easy. You just need to provide their preferred food and habitat away from your prized plants.
Follow these simple steps:
1. Choose a damp, shady corner of your garden.
2. Pile up leaves, grass clippings, and small sticks.
3. Add some pieces of old wood or bark.
4. You can even add vegetable scraps from your kitchen.
5. Let it stay moist. This pile will attract rolly pollies and give them a perfect home and food source.
This method works great to concentrate their helpful cleanup efforts in one spot. They’ll be too busy in their own buffet to bother your other plants.
What to Do If They’re Eating Seedlings
First, confirm it’s really them. Check for them at night with a flashlight, as that’s when they feed. If they are the culprits, don’t reach for harsh pesticides. There are gentle solutions.
* Reduce Moisture: Let the soil surface dry out a bit between waterings.
* Create a Barrier: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around your seedlings. This is a natural powder that deters them.
* Use Traps: Place half a potato or a piece of banana peel hollow-side down near the plants. Check it in the morning and relocate any rolly pollies you find to your compost pile.
* Elevate Seedlings: Start seeds in pots until they are more established and less tender.
The Lifecycle of a Backyard Decomposer
Understanding their life cycle helps you see why they’re so common. Female rolly pollies carry their eggs in a pouch on their underside, like kangaroos. The young hatch and stay in the pouch for a short while before venturing out.
They molt in two stages, shedding the back half of their shell first, then the front a few days later. This is why you might sometimes see odd-looking, half-colored pill bugs. They can live for up to three years, which is quite long for a small backyard creature!
They’re Not Alone: Other Decomposers in Your Soil
Rolly pollies are part of a whole team working under your feet. They often work along side earthworms, millipedes, and certain beetles. Each has a slightly different role.
Earthworms tunnel and mix soil, while rolly pollies break down tougher material like wood and leaf fibers. This teamwork is essential for creating fertile soil. A garden teaming with these creatures is a sign of good health.
Common Misconceptions About Their Diet
Many people mistakenly believe rolly pollies eat live plants or roots like grubs do. This is largely untrue. They lack the mouthparts needed to chew healthy, fibrous plant tissue effectively.
Another myth is that they eat wood like termites. They only consume wood that is already soft, wet, and rotting. They will not damage the wood of your house or shed. Their diet is specific to things that are already breaking down.
Observing Their Diet Up Close
A fun project for kids or curious gardeners is to set up a small terrarium. You can watch their eating habits directly.
You’ll need a clear container with a lid, some soil, and bark for hiding. Add a few different food items: a piece of dead leaf, a slice of carrot, and maybe a small piece of mushroom. Watch which foods they go for first. You’ll likely see them ignore the fresh carrot and head straight for the decaying leaf.
This is a great way to learn about their important role. Just remember to keep the environment moist and release them after a few days of observation.
Balancing Your Garden Ecosystem
A few rolly pollies are a good thing. A huge swarm might mean you have to much decaying material in one area. The goal is balance. By managing moisture and providing alternative food sources, you can enjoy their benefits without any drawbacks.
They are also a food source for other beneficial animals. Birds, toads, and some spiders will eat rolly pollies. So they play a double part in the garden food web, both as consumers and as prey.
Remember, these tiny tank-like creatures are mostly on your side. They are the clean-up crew, working hard to keep your garden tidy and fertile. By understanding what do rolly pollies eat, you can appreciate them as the helpful little scavengers they truly are.
FAQ: Your Rolly Polly Diet Questions Answered
Do rolly pollies eat live plants?
Almost never. They strongly prefer dead, decaying plant matter. They might sample a very tender seedling only if no other food is available.
What do baby rolly pollies eat?
Baby rolly pollies, once they leave the mother’s pouch, eat the same diet as adults: soft, decaying vegetation. They often start with the finest, most decomposed material.
Can I feed rolly pollies in a terrarium?
Yes. Provide leaf litter, rotting wood, and small bits of vegetables like potato or carrot. They also need a source of calcium, which they get from eggshells or cuttlebone, to help build their shells.
Do they eat insects or other bugs?
No. They are not predators. Their diet is strictly vegetarian, focusing on dead plant material and fungi.
Why are there so many in my garden?
A large population usually indicates a moist environment with an abundance of decaying organic matter, like thick mulch or lots of fallen leaves. This is often a sign of healthy soil life.
Are sowbugs and pillbugs the same thing?
They are very similar and have identical diets. The main difference is that pillbugs (rolly pollies) can roll into a perfect ball. Sowbugs have two tail-like appendages and cannot roll up completely.