help with woodlice

[Lisasbolt]

I have a major problem with woodlice, i have 100000000000000's and I'm not joking

I have just let them be over the last couple of years as they don't really do any harm, but now underneath any plant there are 1000's, i'll post pics as you wouldn't believe the amount. But now they are doing harm i think the main problem is the digging around the roots and the plants hate it.

Do you know the best way to get rid of them, ideally don't want to kill but don't think i have another option because of the amount. Hopefully organically

Thanks in advance.

[Lisasbolt]

Sorry about the way up the photos are

[PyreneesPlot]

Wow! That is a lot of woodlice!
The only thing I know about them in general is that they like damp conditions so dare I say water less or at least allow the ground to dry out between watering? I think the young in particular suffer if the ground is dry.
Having said that, I can't imagine your bit of Spain is overly wet.

[Knight of Albion]

Woodlice are harmless and even if they are there in number, it shouldn't have any effect on harvest yield.

They do require moisture, so to be there in those numbers, the soil must be pretty moist. Enough to cause rot I'm wondering? Perhaps you are over-watering? Or you just need to thin back and let the sun through to warm and dry the ground.

Putting my thinking cap on, if it is bugging you that much, one thing you could try that wouldn't involve killing (them) or poisoning (you) would be to put down a handful of gravel at the base of the plants, as a sort of hardcore mulch. [A wood chip or green mulch would have the opposite effect and encourage them.]






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[Jungle Jane]

I have loads here,they don't go for healthy plants. They're one of natures helpers that tidy dead,decaying plant matter. You could create an area with bits of old wood/old thick bits of branch & they'd probably live there unnoticed. The odd one gets into my house sometimes but I would never kill one,if you have to do something,maybe collect a load & take them to a nice spot near woodland where they can carry on their good work.

[Snow]

I have found that they do eat carrot seedlings, so they are not completely harmless. But that aside, they do good as they eat anything that is decaying.

With that in mind I would suggest removing anything that is decaying. Leaves, falled flower petals, etc.
The other thing that reduced the number in my garden was to remove stones. I had a large pile in one corner and they love to sit under them.

[Jungle Jane]

They've had a lot of rain & hail in Spain,maybe their homes have been flooded,so they've all come out?

[Lisasbolt]

Have not seen a drop of rain here for months!! everything is so very dry so thats why they find my plants where there is atleast a bit of water. They do like a ripe tomato as well but luckily i have enough to share.
Thanks for all the replies