Identifying Pill Bugs Pill bugs are named for their ability to curl in tight pill-like balls. Sow bugs also can’t curl up into a ball like pill bugs. They hide under rocks or burrow in the soil. The Spruce / Alison Czinkota They feed primarily on decomposing organic matter, such as damp paper and cardboard. They also eat feces, algae, moss, bark, fungi, and other weakened pillbugs. You may find a random pill bug roaming indoors, but it usually won’t last long....

However, try these methods to get rid of poison ivy so you and your family can stay itch-free. What Is Urushiol? Identify poison ivy plants using the famous rhyme “leaves of three, let it be.” dhughes9/gettyimages This plant will have three leaflets on each stem. The slightly serrated leaves can be smooth or jagged, and they change color by season. Eastern poison ivy has a vining growth habit, while Western poison ivy grows in a shrub form....

Even earlier in the season, its immense size compared to other perennial weeds is helpful in identification. Winter kills off only the above-ground growth. The plant remains viable at root level and comes back every spring. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova Manually removing the plant is the safest and most eco-friendly method but herbicides can be used carefully if needed. Find out more about what you have to do to kill pokeweed successfully....

Powderpost Beetles Leave Holes in Wood. Heres What you might Do to Control Them. If you are noticing piles of fine powder, this could definitely be cause for concern. The Spruce / Mira Norian As adults, they chew out of the wood and emerge through small round exit holes. Here youll learn how to identify powderpost beetles and get rid of them. Beetle Terminology: Frass and Exit Holes What Do Powderpost Beetles Look Like?...

How do you know if there’s a raccoon up there? For starters, you’ll hear them scratching and scrambling around. They’ll also make a mess, tearing up insulation to build their nests and leaving behind droppings. The Spruce / Ellen Lindner Not only can they cause serious damage, but they also are territorialand can carry and spread diseases. What is Insulation? The best way toget rid of raccoonsis to call a trustworthy local company that handles wildlife removal....

Learn the fastest ways toget rid of roaches. How to Identify Roaches Cockroaches are easy to identify from other insects first because of their size. They’re usually 1.5" to 2" long, which makes them bigger than other common house insects. The Spruce / Paige McLaughlin Typically, they’re reddish-brown and there golden yellow bands across the shield on their back. This will involve identifying and addressing harborage areas (areas where the roaches could be hiding out)....

Few people have trouble recognizing cockroaches. There are several species of cockroaches often battled by homeowners andapartment dwellers. Here’s how to battle them invading your home. The Spruce / Ellen Lindner To win thecockroach battle, youll have to do some spring cleaning. Start your cockroach elimination efforts by moving everything in bags and boxes into air-tight plastic storage. Even if you bag up your recyclables, roaches can get inside and will readily eat the remaining food....

Scale insects typically adhere to the stems, branches, and sometimes leaves of plants to feed on sap. Below, learn how to identify, combat, and control scale insects on indoor and outdoor plants. It is often confused for fungal or bacterial infections, like leaf spots or blight. The Spruce / Jiaqi Zhou Types of Scale Insects Scale insects are closely related toaphidsandwhiteflies. They vary significantly in color, shape, and size.They are often somewhat rounded, but not always....

Professional organizer Liora Seltzer recommends avoiding these kinds of phrases. Then you might let them go. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? The Spruce / Margot Cavin This method can be done yearly to stay on top of clutter. “Commit to using the sensory approach to revisit the sentimental items youve kept.” Seltzer says thatthe KonMari Methodpurposely saves this category for last. Olena Ruban / Getty Images “So in other words, start with other decluttering projects before getting to the sentimental items....

Garden slugs are especiallydamaging to vegetableandberry cropsbecause they eat both the leaves and the fruit. As soon as you’ve identified slugs in your garden, start treatment. They camouflage against the brown soil and hide out in damp, dark places during the day. The Spruce / Joules Garcia The slugs will hatch in the springtime. But, this salt method often works the best. This functions as a homemade trap and takes a few days to work....

In fact, their appearance alone gives many people the heebie-jeebies. Sure, spider crickets cant bite or chirp. But that doesnt take away from the fact that theyre a nuisancea pretty destructive one at that. carlofranco / Getty Images What Is a Spider Cricket? The good news is spider crickets arent actual spidersthough they bear a slight resemblance from a distance. Cue the long legs (which are six, not eight) and humped backs....

Different types of spider mites attack various plants both indoors and out. There are several ways you’re free to learn how to get rid of spider mites. Here’s what to look for. The Spruce / Brianna Gilmartin Leaves Damaged by Spider Mites Spider mites feed by sucking out plant juice from the leaves. Some spider mites inject toxins into the leaves that discolor and distort them. They come in a wide variety of colors, including red, yellow, green, and brown....

Most spiders are harmless and spend their lives trapping and eating insects. Every bug they consume is one you won’t have to swat or spray. Contrary to popular fears, it’s quite rare for people to die from spider bites. The Spruce / Alex Dos Diaz (Bee, hornet, and wasp stings, by contrast, kill about 60 people each year. Bites can cause spreading necrosis to set into tissues, making this a very dangerous spider....