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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 5/25/2009
Posts: 6
Location: Illinois
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Hello all........does anyone know how to get rid of roly poly bugs that are eating my hostas? Thanks for any info.
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Rank: Member
Joined: 4/20/2009
Posts: 10
Location: Norfolk, VA
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Oakleaf
When you say roly poly bugs are you referring to pill bugs (those little guys that live under rocks and sometimes will roll up to protect themselves if you touch them?)? Also what are hostas? Describe the situation:
Is your plant outside somewhere? Is there leaf litter on the ground nearby? Or rocks? I am not an expert by any means but maybe with some additional information the problem can be solved without insecticides.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
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Rank: Newbie
Joined: 5/25/2009
Posts: 6
Location: Illinois
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kodmfl..........yes, pill bugs that live in the ground and eat roots of perennials, etc. They also make their way into plant pots that I've brought outside for the summer. I'm looking for an organic way to treat the soil to eliminate them around the plant...any suggestions out there in cyber space?
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Rank: Member
Joined: 4/20/2009
Posts: 10
Location: Norfolk, VA
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Oakleaf
You might try removing any objects that they might be hiding under from around your plant. These guys will probably be hiding under leaf litter or rocks or any ground cover you may have under or near the plant. In fact they'll be hiding under your plant pots most likely. They are detritovores which means they will eat dead plant material lying around your plants. And if there isn't enough of that they'll go after live plants I would suspect. I suppose there might be two alternative things you can try 1) provide them with an alternative food source like leaf or grass clippings or 2) completely remove any ground cover (temporarily at least) around your plants. The first alternative might work or it might exacerbate the problem because if you provide them with additional food you might get a population increase. Still it might be worth a try. Removing ground cover will get rid of places they might hide, a source of food and/or decrease moisture of the soil. They also need alot of moisture as they are crustaceans. They are more closely related to shrimp than to insects. If you have more than one plant you could try both ideas and see which one works.
Just remember my ideas are just that - ideas. I don't have much gardening or plant raising experience. I do have a little knowledge about biology though. Hope this helps.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
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Rank: Member
Joined: 3/11/2009
Posts: 12
Location: Missouri
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I have a long row of 20 Hostas on the north side of my house along an elevated deck. About 4 different varities, some huge and beautiful plants. Slugs, thats what I call them, they look like snails without a shell. They also eat Hostas,and generally only come out at night. Since my hostas are outdoor plants, I use slug bait.
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Rank: Member
Joined: 4/20/2009
Posts: 10
Location: Norfolk, VA
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Oakleaf
Just curious whether or not you have tried anything yet for those pill-bugs rolly-pollies. Please let me know what you come up with.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
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