How To Get Rid Of Pill Bugs With A Simple Homemade Trap

When a bug goes by the name of roly-poly, it's hard to take them seriously. After all, you don't expect the crustacean with such a cozy nickname to be much of a bother, right? However, they can be quite a terror if left alone in the garden. Though they undertake the monumental task of feeding on dead organic matter in the soil, they could soon start chewing on plants in your yard if their numbers grow out of hand and they start thinking of your turf as theirs. Tired of seeing your roots, seedlings, fruits, and vegetables chewed through or consumed thoroughly? Fortunately, there's a convenient, nontoxic, and simple method to protect your plants and control pill bugs that many gardeners swear by: DIY a homemade trap using beer.

This hack works because these bugs are attracted by the yeast and sugar. If you offer it in a frothy beverage, they can't help but be attracted to your beer trap. When the bugs come, they'll drop into the container for a sip and won't be able to climb back out, effectively drowning after a few hours. 

Don't worry about shelling out for the priciest brews; those pill bugs will come to the party even if you offer them the cheap stuff. The style, whether an ale or a lager, doesn't matter either. Just get a shallow container — feel free to repurpose your cookie tins, used yogurt cups, or an old takeout container — and a can of beer to set your trap. You'll also need a handheld spade or a small trowel to dig a tiny hole in your garden. Don't forget to get your gardening gloves as well, if you'd rather not have dirt embed itself under your nails.

Though the smell of beer is enough to entice pill bugs roaming about your garden, it alone won't be enough to draw each pest in, as it'll only work on roly-polies within about 3 feet. Pick the location of your trap wisely. Usually, you'll find pill bugs in shadowed and damp corners of your garden. This makes them the ideal spot for springing a sweet trap. Once you narrow down the area, start digging into the soil around your plants with your spade. You don't want the hole to be too deep; just enough to safely snuggle in your container.

Fit your chosen container (if you're repurposing an old one, remember to rinse it out first so beer is the only thing these pests smell) into the hole such that its mouth sits flush with the ground. This will make it easier for the roly-polies to crawl in. Also, cover its sides with soil so it remains in place. Then, fill ⅓ to ½ of the container with beer. Don't fill it all the way, or the bugs won't have any trouble climbing out after they've had a drink. Now, sit back and relax while your trap lures in the bait. Remember to do away with the trapped bugs every day and change out the beer at least once every two days. 

Place multiple traps around your garden if you have a large space and are dealing with an infestation. That being said, don't expect the trap to work on its own if you don't remove their favorite nestling spots. For starters, try minimizing moisture and do away with piles of mulch (maybe try growing plants you shouldn't bother mulching?) in your yard to keep the bugs away.