Latin: Genus Crustaceans
Woodlouse are a special group of animals. They belong to the genus of crustaceans – called Crustacea – which also includes crustaceans such as crabs, shrimp, and lobsters. The special thing about the Woodlouse is that they are the only crustaceans that have managed to adapt to a life on land.
But their family ties with the crustaceans do not deny themselves, and the woodlouse therefore breathe through gills. This means that woodlouse is forced to stay in wet or damp areas so that they do not risk drying out.
In Denmark, 27 different species of woodlouse have been found. However, only a few of these species move inside our homes. However, when they do, they can appear in large numbers.
Appearance
The small woodlouse is found in several species, but most often they are gray. The woodlouse’s shield is oval, almost almond – shaped and consists of several transverse joints. At the front of the head are two feeler horns or antennas. Certain species – such as the ball woodlouse – can roll into a ball if disturbed.
The woodlouse has 7 pairs of legs and can be 1-2cm long. Some species that live by the beach can grow up to 3cm long.
Biology and behavior
Woodlouse are sensitive to light and prefer to be under rocks, at the bottom of the firewood pile, in compost piles or other similar places where there is often moisture as well. Their hunt for food often ends with decaying plant parts or fresh fruits and vegetables.
Woodlouse can usually produce one to two generations each year. The female carries her eggs on the belly, where she has a special incubator bag. This bag forms the foundation for the offspring as this is where they spend their first phase.
Damage
The diet of the woodlouse usually consists of decayed plant parts. But that does not mean that they do not like to get loose in fresh fruit, vegetables, or small buds. A bunch of hungry woodlouse can therefore do great damage to a store of fruit and vegetables, in a garden or in a greenhouse. They can even gnaw their way into the fruits of a trellis tree.
However, they also perform an important job by decomposing organic material when, for instance, they occur in places such as in compost piles.
Prevention and pest control
If the woodlouse moves inside, it is a good indicator that the home is too damp. If you want to fight the woodlouse inside, immersing the moisture in the home can be a natural place to start. This can be done, among other things, by improving the ventilation and heating in the premises. A good drying will make cabbage on the woodlouse, which will thereby become extinct by itself. They can then be removed with a vacuum cleaner.
Sometimes the reason for a large number of woodlouse can be a hatchery near the home. For instance, in a compost pile, garden waste, a pile of straw or the like. Such piles should be removed, which can remedy the problem. It may be necessary to resort to chemical treatments. And here an insect powder will often be able to handle the task. Be sure to powder all dark nooks, cracks, crevices, and damp areas as this is where woodlouse will usually seek out. It may also be necessary to dust the outside of the house if it is suspected that the bench pieces are coming from outside through basement doors or windows.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)