If you’ve ever turned over a rock or a pot in the garden, you’ve likely seen roly polys scurry away. You might wonder what eats roly polys – natural predators of these little crustaceans help keep their population in check. Also known as pill bugs or woodlice, they are a common sight in moist, decaying plant material. While they’re mostly harmless decomposers, knowing their role in the food web makes you a more informed gardener. This balance is crucial for a healthy garden ecosystem.
What Eats Roly Polys – Natural Predors Of
Roly polys aren’t insects; they’re land-living crustaceans related to shrimp and crabs. This fact surprises many people. Their primary diet consists of decaying organic matter, which makes them excellent recyclers in your compost pile. However, their slow movement and soft underside make them a protein snack for a variety of creatures. Understanding this predator-prey relationship helps you appreciate the natural balance at work right under your feet.
Common Garden Predators of Pill Bugs
In a typical backyard or garden, several animals will happily include roly polys in their diet. These predators are often your allies in managing all sorts of pest populations. Here’s a list of the most common ones:
* Spiders: Many ground-dwelling spiders, like wolf spiders, will eat pill bugs when they find them.
* Centipedes: Fast and predatory, centipedes are always on the hunt for small, soft-bodied creatures in the soil.
* Ground Beetles: These shiny, often black beetles are voracious nocturnal hunters. They patrol the soil surface and will consume roly polys they encounter.
* Ants: Some ant species, particularly larger ones, will carry off pill bugs, especially younger ones, to feed their colonies.
* Frogs and Toads: These amphibians will snap up almost any small creature that moves, including roly polys that wander by.
* Salamanders and Newts: Similar to frogs, these moisture-loving hunters will eat pill bugs in damp environments.
Birds and Larger Animals That Eat Roly Polys
The list of predators extends beyond insects and amphibians. Many birds and small mammals relish these easy-to-find morsels. This is especially true in early spring when other food sources might be scarce. Keeping an eye out for these animals can give you clues about your garden’s health.
Birds are particularly effective hunters. Robins, blackbirds, starlings, and other species that forage on the ground will peck through leaf litter. They use their sharp eyesight to spot movement. Chickens, if you have them, will scratch and devour roly polys with great enthusiasm, providing them with good protein.
Small mammals also play a part. Shrews, with their high metabolisms, are constant eaters and will consume pill bugs. Mice and voles might also eat them, although they prefer seeds and plants. Even the occasional curious squirrel might try one.
The Role of Predators in Garden Balance
A healthy population of natural predators is a sign of a thriving garden ecosystem. It means you have a good level of biodiversity. These predators don’t just eat roly polys; they also control populations of slugs, snails, aphids, and other insects that can be more damaging to your plants. When you see a ground beetle or a toad in your garden, consider it a welcome guest. They are providing you with free pest control services every single day.
To encourage these beneficial predators, you can take a few simple steps:
1. Provide shelter. Leave some areas a little wild with leaf piles, rocks, or a log pile.
2. Ensure a water source. A shallow birdbath or a dish of water helps frogs, toads, and birds.
3. Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides. These chemicals kill the good bugs along with the bad ones, disrupting the natural food chain.
4. Plant diverse vegetation. Different plants attract different insects, which in turn attract a wider range of predators.
When Roly Poly Populations Get Too High
Usually, roly polys are not a problem. But sometimes, especially in very damp conditions or in greenhouses, their numbers can explode. When their normal food source (decaying matter) runs low, they may start nibbling on tender seedlings, roots, or low-hanging fruits like strawberries. This is when you might notice their feeding damage.
If you see signs of overpopulation, don’t panic. Its often a temporary situation. First, look for and encourage their natural predators by following the tips above. You can also manually reduce their hiding spots. Let the soil surface dry out a bit between waterings, as they need constant moisture to breathe through their gills.
Safe and Natural Reduction Methods
If you need to intervene directly, choose methods that are gentle on the rest of your garden’s ecosystem. Chemical controls should be a last resort, as they harm the predators you want to keep.
* Manual Removal: Simply scoop them up from under pots and boards and relocate them to a compost area far from seedlings.
* Trapping: Use hollowed-out orange halves, rolled-up damp newspaper, or a potato with a carved-out cavity. Place these traps in the garden overnight. The roly polys will congregate inside, and you can collect and move them in the morning.
* Diatomaceous Earth: Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) can be sprinkled in problem areas. It is a fine powder that damages the exoskeletons of crawling insects and crustaceans, causing them to dehydrate. Be aware that DE can also affect beneficial insects, so use it sparingly and only where needed. Also, it becomes ineffective when wet.
* Adjust Watering Habits: Water your plants in the morning so the surface soil dries by evening, making the area less inviting.
Remember, the goal is rarely elimination. Its about restoring a balance where decomposers, plants, and predators all exist without causing significant harm to your garden’s productivity.
Roly Polys as Decomposers: The Good They Do
Before you decide roly polys are a nuisance, consider their vital role. They are nature’s tiny cleanup crew. Their digestive process helps break down tough plant material like cellulose, speeding up decomposition and returning valuable nutrients to the soil. This activity improves soil structure and fertility over time. In your compost bin, they are active workers, helping to create rich, dark humus. So, a few roly polys around is actually a very good thing.
Creating a Balanced Garden Habitat
The key to a low-maintenance, healthy garden is working with nature, not against it. By understanding the food web—including what eats roly polys—you can make smarter choices. Encourage predator habitats, tolerate a bit of imperfection, and let natural processes do some of the work for you. This approach leads to a more resilient garden that can handle minor pest fluctuations on its own. You’ll spend less time fighting problems and more time enjoying your green space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What animals eat roly polys?
A: Many common garden animals eat them, including spiders, ground beetles, centipedes, frogs, toads, birds like robins, and small mammals like shrews.
Q: Are pill bugs good for anything?
A: Yes! They are excellent decomposers. They break down decaying plant matter, which enriches your soil and helps your compost pile work faster.
Q: Do birds eat roly pollies?
A: Absolutely. Many ground-foraging birds, such as robins, starlings, and blackbirds, will eat pill bugs. Chickens are also very fond of them.
Q: What kills roly polys naturally?
A: Their natural predators are the primary control. Drying out the soil surface, manual removal, and traps like damp newspaper are also effective natural methods.
Q: Should I get rid of pill bugs in my garden?
A: Usually, no. They are beneficial decomposers. Only consider reduction if their population is extremely high and they are damaging young seedlings. Focus on encouraging their natural predators instead.
Q: What is the main predator of a woodlouse?
A: There isn’t a single main predator, but ground beetles, spiders, and amphibians are among the most common and effective hunters of woodlice (roly polys) in a garden setting.