woodlice

[celtic lady]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me if woodlice are a problem in a garden. We have twice planted woody plants in an area, and both times in a container, and they have both died, after getting on well initiallly!! We have found woodlice in the soil in these containers. Has anyone had a problem with these. Also, is there anything we can do to solve this problem.

[Summer House]

Hi Celtic Lady,

Woodlouse or Woodlice are not usually a big problem in gardens no more than say Earwigs. I wouldn't of thought that they would kill a Woody plant.

They are a relative of the Crabs, Shrimps and Lobsters and do not have a fully waterproof skin or covering, they will die if left out in the dry or sun for any length of time so they avoid the light and just come out at night when it is damp and cool to feed. They also live in dark and damp places under logs, stones and in rotting leaves. Their favourite foods are dead wood and leaves but they will eat live materials such as ripe fruit and young leaves, they make holes in the leaves just like Earwigs do. They can be more of a pest in town gardens than country gardens as there are better hiding places.

As for your woody plant in a container, your name would suggest you come from North of the border and therefore plant in containers can be vulnerable to frosts it can damage the roots as they are above the ground, this would apply to any cold place North facing or between two walls when it is wind. It's well worth bringing containers under cover in cold weather or at least giving them some protection. Try not to let them get to wet for to long in the winter as this can kill the plant. Water, frost and wind and you end up with a ball of ice.
I would also suggest that it could be Vine Weevil, this is a beetle that lays it's eggs in the soil of the container and when hatched the grub eats the roots of the plant a real pest of containers. The best way to control it is to buy Vine Weevil Wash or Spray and water it onto the containers from a watering can.

If you want to check on the Woodlouse go out at night with a torch and inspect the plants. Keeping containers away from wood piles or rubbish should help to keep Woodlouse away. Try putting some old flower pots upside down near the containers and see how many you can catch, this will give you an idea of how many you have in and around your garden.

I hope this will be of some help,

Summer House