Woodlice Fact Sheet

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Infestation Identification: Woodlice are grey, black or brown in colour, with an outer shell which is called an exoskeleton and are approximately 10mm to 15mm long. Their 14 body parts make them able to curl up to protect themselves. They have 26 legs, and 12 of which are false. The 2 antennae on their heads and 2 uropods at the back of their bodies, help them find their way around.

 

Common Names: Oniscidea

 

Diet: A woodlouse likes to eat; fungi, rotting wood, rooting plants and even their own faeces.

 

Habitat: Woodlice live in dark and damp areas, such as; under doormats, under logs, under stones, in walls and in compost bins.

 

Prevention: To prevent woodlice from entering your property, we recommend that any damp areas or leaks are repaired, this will make the environment much less attractive to a woodlouse.

 

Life Cycle: A female woodlouse carries the fertilised eggs in a brood pouch underneath her body and lays approximately 24 eggs which take only a few days to hatch. The woodlice moult their shells to allow room to grow, they do not moult once they are an adult. They live for around two years.

 

General Information: Woodlice may look like an insect but they are actually, crustaceans which are related to crabs and lobsters.

 

Treatments: It is not always necessary to carry out treatments for woodlice as they are harmless, although undesirable. If woodlice are becoming a problem and you would like them eradicated, we would recommend that a treatment is carried out using an insecticide in liquid or powder form.

 

Quick Facts:

•  Woodlice outer shells are called exoskeletons.

• They are harmless.

• The woodlice moult their shells to allow room to grow.

• Their 14 body parts make them able to curl up to protect themselves.

• Woodlice may look like an insect but they are actually crustaceans.

• Woodlice live in dark and damp areas.

• A woodlouse likes to eat; fungi, rotting wood, rooting plants and even their own faeces.

• They have 26 legs, and 12 of which are false.

• A female, lays approximately 24 eggs which take only a few days to hatch.

• They live for around two years.