Woodlice in my herb pots

[chris]

As well as ants - is this a problem? I notice they're really under the Majorim (spelling?) stuff - as it's covered well, and is damp under there. Despite the fact that they are pig ugly are they a risk of disease, or anything?

The ants are doing my head in too, as I've so many of them (and nests) in my garden, so going to try that semolina tip -- do they eat roots or anything?

[Demeter]

I think woodlice are mostly benign. They eat dead plant matter (wood!) mostly - have heard that sometimes they'll do in a seedling by mistake, but mostly I think they prefer to clean up the dead stuff and turn it into woodlouse manure. I would think established herb plants would be completely safe, the critters just like to use them as Woodlouse HQ.

Ants don't eat plants as far as I know. They do farm aphids, and the red ones can give you a nasty bite. I don't like them much, but I don't think it is urgent to get rid of them in the same way as it would be if you had a slug colony!

[quark1]

I blamed my cats some years ago when I tried to grow French Marigolds - I was sure they were digging them up as they prepared the way to spend a penny.

Sitting out in a deckchair one day I found the true cause - woodlice devouring same at the bottom of the stem at ground level.

Don't know what they're attracted to but f.marigolds for sure!

[burnie]

Earwigs are my bane this year,under the pots and in them as well,seems to be perfect breeding weather for them this year.I've decided there's too many so those that stick their heads have been squished.