I thought Roly Polys were harmless:(

[devster4fun]

HELP! Roly Polys have decimated my Edamame (soy) bean rows. I would guess less than 30% of the seedlings made it. (And I had special beans shipped to me, which I'm out of)

I had no idea they were a garden pest!

Once the seed sprouts at all, they leave it alone. But, Edamame have a 8-10 day germination which apparently is perfect for these cute, but nasty bugs.

I guess I should have started indoors, but the instructions said not recommended.

Anyone had this problem? Any natural solutions?

[Erinz]

I don't tend to have a problem with sow bugs as long as I keep decaying material away from the seedlings -- what are you using for mulch? Is the general area pretty cleaned up? Do you have earwigs as well? I have some advice for earwigs but not sow bugs.... sorry! ha! no help huh? I'd just say make sure their favorite grub is nowhere around (decaying matter).

I'm about to get my edamame in and I"m not sure why because it has never done well for me but I must be a glutton for punishment because I bought seeds again this year!

[funkymamajoy]

I'd love to hear your advice on earwigs. I'm dealing with them right now.

[Audreysmama]

What does earwig damage look like?something is eating my beabs seedling & first true leaves by leaving circles on them.

[lastrid]

Mine too.

[rainbowmoon]

what are roly polys? like a stink bug?

[Flor]

My garden also has a ton of rolypolies and earwigs. They seem drawn to my potato plants.

[Night_Nurse]

Originally Posted by rainbowmoon

what are roly polys?

They are little grey-ish colored bugs that can roll up in a ball. Some people call them doodle-bugs or pill-bugs.

[steffanie3]

Or potato bugs, around here.

[Flor]

We call a different bug a potato bug. Giant, black and yellow, shiny, but they don't roll up. I think they are also called Jerusalem crickets.

[Contrariety]

Originally Posted by steffanie3

Or potato bugs, around here.

Yup.


I am blown away. I totally thought they were harmless. I have tons around here, though I've never noticed any damage that wasn't from squash bugs or slugs. Huh. Always learning...

[Flor]

I'm not really sure what they do. But, I do notice that when a potato plant dies, and I pick it up, it is covered in rolly pollies.