The Double Life of ‘Wood Lice:’ MN Garden Guardians & House Guests?

WHAT ARE WOODLICE, AND ARE THEY A PROBLEM FOR HUMANS?

Lice! Yikes! Just saying that word can make your skin start to crawl. You mention the word, and everyone in the room asks, "Lice? Where? Who?" No one wants to worry about getting headlice, but it happens.

So there IS another kind of lice. It's called woodlice; and yes, it IS something for you to worry about, but maybe not in the way that you are thinking.

Are woodlice and headlice from the same family? The answer is no. They are both arthropods, but woodlice are crustaceans and head lice are insects.

While head lice are tiny insects that feed on blood on the human scalp, they usually spread through direct transfer from one person's hair to another. They are NOT a sign of poor personal hygiene as many people think, and the good news is; that although they are gross and a pain to get rid of, they don't carry bacterial or viral diseases.

WOODLICE GUIDING YOUR WAY TO PROBLEMS

According to an article with siLive.com, wood Lice, on the other hand, might become bothersome to your home if you have a moist or damp area, and high humidity levels, so look for water leaks. Woodlice can enter your home quite easily by finding their way through small openings or cracks in walls, floors, foundation, or simply through doors and windows that are left open.

They typically are more of a garden pest, but if you have problems with moisture, that's all they are looking for. If you see them, you shouldn't immediately kill them. First, figure out where they are coming from and why, because if you see woodlice in your home, it could be a sign of an expensive problem that needs to be tended to.

Since they like to feed on decaying wood and plant material, they aren't going to cause damage to your home. The best thing to do if you see lots of woodlice is to call an expert in and see if you can find out what's causing the problem before you try to get rid of the woodlice, or they'll just keep coming back.

WOODLICE IN YOUR YARD OR GARDEN

As far as seeing woodlice in your yard or garden? They are a welcome critter, as they snack on the decomposing plants and vegetables. They rarely damage healthy plants, so seeing them outside indicates that you have a thriving outdoor space. If you find one or two in your house; just give them a boost by scooping them up and putting them back outside in a dark-covered spot. They just want to help!