How to Get Rid of Sowbugs and Pillbugs Indoors

October 21, 2026

What Are Sowbugs and Pillbugs?

Sowbugs and pillbugs are not insects — they are crustaceans, more closely related to crabs and shrimp than to ants or cockroaches. They breathe through gills, which is why they need constant moisture to survive.

Pillbugs roll into a tight ball when disturbed. Sowbugs cannot roll up and are slightly flatter. Both are gray, oval-shaped, and about half an inch long. They are harmless to humans and do not bite, sting, or damage structures.

Why Are They Inside Your Home?

Finding sowbugs or pillbugs indoors is almost always a sign of excess moisture near entry points. They live outdoors in damp soil, mulch, and leaf litter, and wander inside through gaps in foundations, door thresholds, or basement walls when conditions are right.

They cannot survive long indoors in dry conditions. If you are seeing them regularly, it means they are finding a moist pathway in and a damp area to shelter in.

Step 1 — Fix the Moisture Problem First

Check for leaking pipes under sinks and in the basement. Improve drainage around your foundation — mulch beds, standing water, and poor grading all create ideal habitat directly against your home.

Run a dehumidifier in the basement or crawl space. Increase ventilation in bathrooms and utility rooms. Addressing moisture is the single most effective long-term solution.

Place Sulguy Bamboo Charcoal Bags in basements, under-sink cabinets, and utility closets. They absorb ambient moisture and odors that attract sowbugs and other moisture-loving pests.

Step 2 — Seal Entry Points

Inspect the base of your exterior walls, especially where the foundation meets the siding. Seal cracks with silicone caulk. Install door sweeps on basement and garage doors. Check where utility pipes enter the home and seal any gaps with expanding foam.

Clear mulch, leaf litter, and wood debris away from the foundation. These materials hold moisture and shelter large populations of sowbugs directly against your home's entry points.

Step 3 — Apply Diatomaceous Earth at Entry Zones

Dust Sulguy Diatomaceous Earth with Peppermint along basement wall edges, under door thresholds, and in crawl space corners. Diatomaceous earth dehydrates sowbugs and pillbugs on contact by damaging their exoskeleton.

It remains effective as long as it stays dry. Reapply after any water exposure. This is one of the safest and most effective treatments for moisture-zone pests.

Step 4 — Use Peppermint Spray as a Repellent

Spray Sulguy Peppermint Bug Spray along baseboards, around door frames, and in damp corners. The natural peppermint scent discourages sowbugs from crossing treated surfaces and works well in combination with diatomaceous earth.

Reapply weekly in high-moisture areas, especially during wet seasons when sowbug pressure increases outdoors.

Step 5 — Treat Indoor Activity With Crawling Pest Spray

For active infestations in basements or garages, apply Sulguy Crawling Pest Control Powder Spray along wall edges and into wall voids. It is odorless and safe for enclosed indoor spaces once dry.

Place Sulguy Crawling Insect Glue Traps in corners and along basement walls to capture sowbugs and monitor activity levels. A reduction in trapped insects over 1–2 weeks confirms your treatment is working.

Step 6 — Create an Outdoor Perimeter Barrier

Apply diluted Sulguy Bifenthrin Concentrate around the foundation perimeter, targeting the soil-to-wall junction where sowbugs travel. This stops them before they reach entry points.

Reapply every 60–90 days or after heavy rain. Combined with moisture reduction and sealing, a perimeter barrier gives you long-term control of sowbug populations around your home.

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