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Woodlice

micearguersmicearguers Posts: 646
in Wildlife gardening
This year I'm noticing a large amount of woodlice, basically everywhere. In the compost heap, in the soil, around plants, on stepping stones. I may just be noticing them more, or perhaps it is a result of accumulative mulching over the seven years that I have gardened here. Has anyone else noticed an increase in woodlice?
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Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    There seems to be a large number here this year too. Every time I move anything there's loads under there and when I'm out at night they seem to be everywhere.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • bookmonsterbookmonster Posts: 399
    I suppose they probably like wet summers
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I can't honestly say I've noticed a difference in the amount. There's always lots here.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I have a lot more too. Teeming under all the containers. Rather them than ants
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • micearguersmicearguers Posts: 646
    @bookmonster that's a good call. It has not been very wet here in East Anglia, but it has not been a lot wettern than during the droughts of the last summers. Perhaps wet + high temperatures let's them thrive.
  • skankinpickleskankinpickle Posts: 119
    It seems nothing predates woodlice. There are zillions of them around here . . .  :o
  • Winston_The_Gravity_ManWinston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263
    Do woodlice cause any harm to growing plants ?  Or do they just nibble away at dead wood and vegetation ?
    When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Some people insist that they eat live  plants. I insist that they don't. Maybe there's two kinds of woodlice.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Winston_The_Gravity_ManWinston_The_Gravity_Man Posts: 263

    Oh Oh !!!!   :#

    Q. Are woodlice pests?

    A. woodlice feed mainly on decaying plant material, but they can also damage seedlings, bedding plants, peas, beans and carrots, for example, and soft tissues, such as cucumber plants, strawberry fruits and tomatoes. They usually prefer to enlarge wounds already inflicted by slugs, wireworms or other pests, in potatoes and bulbs, for example. Their mouthparts aren’t strong enough to deal with undamaged bulbs and tubers

    The rest of that webpage is worth a read too.



    When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    They do damage our strawberries!
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