Gardeners face a common challenge and that is how to nurture freshly emerging seedlings to the point where they are strong enough to protect themselves. Seedlings are easy pickings for a variety of creatures, from the tiniest to the largest, since they are sensitive and delicious, and they are low to the ground. Woodlice is one of the creatures that may wreak havoc on your seedlings.
Woodlice are the little, grey-colored armor-plated chaps that appear to be in endless abundance in coastal gardens. They are crustaceans belonging to the Oniscidea suborder, which has about 3,000 species. Some of them, belonging to the genus Armadillidium, can defend themselves by rolling into a perfect ball. These are usually referred to as pill bugs, as opposed to sow bugs, which are unable to roll up.
The more damp your garden is, the more woodlice will appear. After they've crawled into their daily hiding places, water first thing in the morning. Evening watering provides an ideal setting for woodlice, as well as an invitation to come and feast. Watering in the morning allows the garden to be reasonably dry by nightfall, which is especially beneficial in the summertime.
Get rid of any potential hiding areas in your garden that aren't really essential, such as unused pots, bricks, boards, plastic mulch, and anything else they may hide beneath, especially where moisture might collect.
While woodlice eat tender seedlings, they are essential for breaking down organic materials in your soil. Many other garden creatures are inedible to the kind of food woodlice can eat, but bacteria and fungus can break down what they leave behind. They are essential for a good composting system, therefore eradicating them is a bad idea. Simply attempt to keep your garden as dry as possible.