Asked on Mar 21, 2015
Garden help: Pill bugs killing my new plants
+14
Hi all,
We moved into an old rental house on a very neglected piece of land. I have started gardening/planting for the first time somewhat unsuccessfully.
I did a little research about the trees we have in the front & read they are very invasive and after a lot of digging, I noticed the roots of the roses are also EVERYwhere. This is probably why my first round of plants were dying. So I dug them out before they were completely gone & put them in planters.
However, I think my biggest problem is those darn rolly pollies/pill bugs & snails! It's mostly the rolly pollies! I have never seen so many in my life! I believe infestation is the proper word.
I dug my plants out & put them in planters (they were store bought perennials, already grown). Only some have survived.
I have now started growing new things from my kitchen (garlic, rosemary, etc). I waited until I felt they were strong enough but then they started dying. So I attempted to put them in the ground again. I prepped the ground with diatomaceous earth but the darn things are still all over the place.
How do i keep these buggers from killing my plants? #pillbugs
We moved into an old rental house on a very neglected piece of land. I have started gardening/planting for the first time somewhat unsuccessfully.
I did a little research about the trees we have in the front & read they are very invasive and after a lot of digging, I noticed the roots of the roses are also EVERYwhere. This is probably why my first round of plants were dying. So I dug them out before they were completely gone & put them in planters.
However, I think my biggest problem is those darn rolly pollies/pill bugs & snails! It's mostly the rolly pollies! I have never seen so many in my life! I believe infestation is the proper word.
I dug my plants out & put them in planters (they were store bought perennials, already grown). Only some have survived.
I have now started growing new things from my kitchen (garlic, rosemary, etc). I waited until I felt they were strong enough but then they started dying. So I attempted to put them in the ground again. I prepped the ground with diatomaceous earth but the darn things are still all over the place.
How do i keep these buggers from killing my plants? #pillbugs
Pill bugs hanging out with my garlic & diatomaceous earth.
12 answers
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The blue round things come from the tree mentioned earlier
![Cindy Delgado Leas]()
Cindy Delgado Leas
on Mar 21, 2015
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I feel to bad you are having this bug problem. I think DE will kill the bugs. Get the kind you can use around animals, I think its called the food grade kind. We use it in our chicken coop and around our house for spiders and other bugs. DE kills all bugs so try it. Good luck
![Deezie]()
Deezie
on Mar 22, 2015
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I think you have the wrong culprit. You may have a lot of pill bugs, but I doubt they are causing the problems in your garden. They mostly eat dead and decaying plant material, in turn returning organic matter to the soil.
![Douglas Hunt]()
Douglas Hunt
on Mar 22, 2015
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I agree with Douglas the soil looks in poor shape. Time to feed and renew soil
![Irish53]()
Irish53
on Mar 22, 2015
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Douglas and Irish53 are on the right track. Pill Bugs are not usually known to eat vegetation and with good soil amendment, plants will thrive as long as their individual light requirements have been met and they are receiving adequate water and nutrients.
![Suzanne Farmer]()
Suzanne Farmer
on Mar 22, 2015
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I think you are all correct. I talked to my dad & he said the same thing about the bugs. I'm thinking it may be the tree & roses? When digging, I've discovered the roots are everywhere & no matter how many times i try to contain them they don't back down. In this pic, it had been raining so everything was a mess. I think the soil may not be the culprit because I've used the same soil to grow my plants in containers. Would there be anything i could do if it is the roots of the two mentioned above?
![Cindy Delgado Leas]()
Cindy Delgado Leas
on Mar 22, 2015
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Take a soil sample to your local extension office for evaluation. They'll tell you what your planting area is lacking. Don't take the top of soil....dig down 8-10 inches as that is where your roots will be growing. Pill bugs as mentioned by others, eat the dead plant matter: rotting leaves, etc. Slugs, snails will mess with new plants. Sprinkle some slug bait around your plants or set out jar lids of beer. Check with your local nursery....a Real nursery....not the box store ones.
![Kimberly Saxton Scruggs]()
Kimberly Saxton Scruggs
on Mar 22, 2015
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Cayenne Pepper sprinkled on plants will not hurt plants but sure get rid of slugs and snails.
![Sharonatkins]()
Sharonatkins
on Mar 22, 2015
- See 1 previous
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Pillbugs are innocent. Handpick and set out beer in saucers overnight for slugs & snails.
![Duv310660]()
Duv310660
on Mar 22, 2015
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Not sure if I'm correct, but by my research i found this "tree" might be a Chinese Privet http://www.texasinvasives.org/plant_database/detail.php?symbol=LISI
![Cindy Delgado Leas]()
Cindy Delgado Leas
on Mar 23, 2015
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You might post a pic of the tree, but in Kyle TX it's more than likely a cedar.
![Beatrice Tangeman]()
Beatrice Tangeman
on May 08, 2015
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And they love strawberries! Use egg shells will help.
![Sally Biggs]()
Sally Biggs
on Oct 04, 2016
Deezie
on Mar 22, 2015
Douglas Hunt
on Mar 22, 2015
Irish53
on Mar 22, 2015
Suzanne Farmer
on Mar 22, 2015
Kimberly Saxton Scruggs
on Mar 22, 2015
Sharonatkins
on Mar 22, 2015
Duv310660
on Mar 22, 2015
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