(Porcellio scaber)
Biology:
Woodlice are crustaceans adapted to terrestrial life. They have a flattened, segmented body, are up to 16 mm long, slate-grey to yellow-grey in color and have 7 pairs of legs. They live on plant food and require a lot of moisture, which is why they are mainly found in cellars among damp stored material. Woodlice are characterized by a special form of brood care in which the females carry the fertilized eggs and also the young around with them in a brood chamber on their abdominal side.
Damage:
Woodlice do not usually cause any major damage. Small feeding spots can sometimes be found on stored fruit, vegetables or potatoes, where rotting processes are promoted.
First and foremost, the appearance of the animals is perceived as annoying and disgusting. In the garden or in compost heaps, woodlice are important decomposers of dead organic material and play a significant role in humus formation, but can also cause damage to seedlings and young plants under certain circumstances.
Tip:
As woodlice require a high level of humidity, they can be eliminated relatively easily by drying out the rooms.
