Wood lice

[binley100]

Has anyone else noticed that there seems to be a population explosion in the wood lice dept? Do they have any predators and now I'm thinking that they are causing a lot of damage to crops ........

[Nicos]

Yep- quite a few more in our wood piles.

I thought they only ate decomposing vegetation???
might be wrong though.
Would have thought hedgehogs,birds,stoats etc would have tucked into them.

No idea what I'm talking about tbh...but seems logical

[Nicos]

ooops- a bit wrong!

Quote...."
Woodlice eat decaying or soft wood. They also eat rotting plant matter such as fruit and leaves, and they eat other animal's waste to provide them with key nutrients."

[Kleftiwallah]

Found a couple inside a strawberry. Did they eat their way in, or did a slug lay down the welcome mat?

Cheers, Tony.

[binley100]

Don't know Tony but my mate was about to tuck into a ripe strawb and luckily noticed a wood louse at the last minute.......

[taff]

I've seen ants eating strawberries but not woodlice. Yes, I've noticed loads of them about too. Maybe the slugs are dying from overeating and they're chomping on them....I can hope....

[CaroltheCarrot]

I thought wood lice were goodies and chomped on all the kak,not the good stuff, have always just left them alone * shudder though*

[binley100]

I think the weather has turned them evil.............

[CaroltheCarrot]

I think the weather has turned everything evil ,mwahaha,
my skys not working,can you tell!!

[binley100]

my sky is ...............overtime

Oy You up there ........turn the bladdy tap off......

[Two_Sheds]

Do they have any predators

Yes, me when I find them chewing my strawberries. Chuck 'em on the BBQ and they go snap crackle & pop

[nellie-m]

"UK woodlice (and most others) feed mainly on rotting vegetation, algae, bacteria, fungi and animal remains and so help to return valuable nutrients to the soil. Woodlice rarely eat living plants, so gardeners should not consider them pests. However they do take an occasional nibble of seedlings in greenhouses and cold frames. On the whole they do much more good than harm, and are especially useful in chewing up plant fragments in compost heaps, and their faeces aids decomposition. "
Found on this info page:
Woodlice

As they thrive in humid conditions, it's not too surprising they've increased this year... And as for the strawberry - my bet is that a slug or bird made the hole into it first. And say you were a woodlouse and needed moisture to survive, can you think of a nicer spot to curl up for the day - strawberry juice all around you...