Lyla Lindsey
Slaters, also known as woodlice, sowbugs, pill bugs, or Roly Poly Bugs, are crustaceans that feed on decaying organic matter and are commonly found in Australian gardens. They are related to crabs, lobsters, and prawns and require moisture to survive. While slaters are beneficial for gardens, breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil, they can occasionally feed on young plants and cause damage to seedlings. This has led to their classification as pests in some contexts, with various methods suggested to control their populations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Woodlice, sowbugs, pill bugs, Roly Poly Bugs, butcher boys |
| Scientific name | Isopoda |
| Class | Crustacea |
| Diet | Scavengers that feed on decaying organic matter, vegetable scraps, leaf litter, dead plant matter, soft seedlings, damaged plant material, dog faeces |
| Habitat | Under logs, rocks, leaf litter, mulch, compost bins, plant pots, dog poo |
| Appearance | Dark/grey black, brown, yellow, orange, pale grey, dark brown to black, grey-brown, dark grey, translucent white, armour-plated |
| Size | Most are 1-3cm, some grow up to 17-20mm |
| Lifespan | 2-3 years |
| Behaviour | Nocturnal, vulnerable during moulting, roll into a ball when disturbed, feign death when threatened |
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What You'll Learn
Slaters eat decaying organic matter
Slaters, also known as woodlice, sowbugs, pill bugs, Roly Poly Bugs, and 'butcher boys', are crustaceans that have adapted to living on land. They are related to crabs, lobsters, and prawns. They are scavengers and feed mainly on decaying organic matter. They are found all over Australia, commonly in gardens, and are considered beneficial to the garden ecosystem.
Slaters play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil. They are detritivores, eating detritus and organic material in gardens, providing a crucial connection in the web of life. They help break down compost and mulch into substances that can be used by the microbes that feed plants. They are particularly fond of mulch and compost, which provide the damp conditions they need to survive. They also feed on leaf litter, dead plant matter, and vegetable scraps.
Slaters are usually considered beneficial, but they can occasionally feed on young plants and crop seedlings, causing significant damage. They have been known to cause damage to wheat, oats, lentils, and pastures in south-eastern Australia. However, it is not well understood what causes slaters to shift from eating organic matter to seedlings.
If slaters are causing damage to your garden, there are several ways to manage their numbers. You can reduce their numbers by disturbing compost and mulch by raking it frequently during hot, dry days. You can also provide alternative food sources, such as hollowed-out orange halves or seedling punnets filled with potato peelings, to distract them from your plants.
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They can damage and eat seedlings
Slaters, also known as woodlice, sowbugs, pill bugs, and Roly Poly Bugs, are crustaceans and scavengers that feed on decaying organic matter. They are related to marine crabs, lobsters, and prawns but have adapted to living on land. They require damp conditions and will die if exposed to open and dry situations. They are usually found in high-rainfall areas, under logs, rocks, and leaf litter in bushland.
Slaters are considered beneficial to gardens as they eat organic matter and return nutrients to the soil. However, at high densities, they can damage and eat seedlings, leading to seedling mortality and stunted plant growth. They have been known to cause damage to crops such as canola, wheat, oats, and lentils in south-eastern Australia. The feeding damage on emerging crop seedlings results in an uneven rasping-type damage, similar to slug and snail damage. They can chew the tops of emerging cotyledons or leaves of crop seedlings, leaving only the seedling stumps. Other damage includes ring-barking of stems and young branches.
Slaters are particularly attracted to soft seedlings that have already been damaged or infected. They tend to feed on seedlings when there is an accumulation of stubble or other plant matter or cracked soils. To prevent slaters from damaging and eating seedlings, it is recommended to reduce compost and mulch and disturb it frequently by raking during hot, dry days. Additionally, growing plants in pots or on structures that keep the leaves and fruit off the ground can help deter slaters.
While slaters can be a nuisance to seedlings, it is important to note that they are difficult to completely eradicate. The key to managing their population lies in suppressing their numbers and creating an unfavourable environment for them. This can be achieved by reducing moisture, removing potential hiding places, and providing alternative food sources, such as potato peelings, to distract them from seedlings.
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They are edible to humans
Slaters, also known as Roly Poly Bugs, Pill Bugs, Wood Lice, and Sowbugs, are edible to humans. They are land-living crustaceans and are related to crabs, lobsters, and prawns. They are usually considered beneficial to gardens as they feed mainly on decaying organic matter and return nutrients to the soil. However, they can occasionally feed on young plants and cause damage to seedlings, especially when present in high densities.
While slaters are edible, there are mixed opinions on their taste. Some people claim that they taste like shrimp due to their close relation, while others find their taste unappealing. Slaters can be consumed raw, fried, or cooked in soups, and they add a crunchy texture to meals.
As slaters require moisture and darkness, they are typically found in damp conditions and are most active at night to avoid dehydration. They seek shelter under mulch, logs, or plant pots, and they are attracted to compost and organic material. Slaters have oval-shaped, flattened bodies that are usually dark grey, although brown, yellow, or orange variations also exist.
To protect young plants from slaters, gardeners can use hollowed-out orange halves or seedling punnets filled with potato peelings to distract them. Additionally, growing plants in pots or structures that elevate them from the ground can help prevent slater damage. It is important to note that slaters are sensitive to dry conditions, so disturbing compost and mulch during hot, dry days can help reduce their presence.
While slaters are considered pests by some, they play a crucial role in the garden ecosystem. They are a good source of protein for chickens and can be part of a sustainable food source if humans choose to consume them. However, it is essential to practice safe harvesting and preparation methods to ensure they are safe for human consumption.
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Chickens love to eat slaters
Slaters, also known as woodlice, sowbugs, pill bugs, or Roly Poleys, are multi-legged crustaceans found all over Australia. They are scavengers and feed on decaying organic matter, playing a crucial role in the garden ecosystem. While they are beneficial for gardens, keeping their numbers in check is important as they can cause significant feeding damage to seedlings and young plants.
Controlling slater populations can be achieved through various methods, such as reducing compost and mulch, disturbing their habitats, and providing alternative food sources. One effective method is introducing chickens to the environment, as they love to eat slaters. Chickens can be a natural form of pest control while also benefiting from the protein provided by slaters, which is good for egg production.
Chickens can be allowed to roam in areas with slater infestations, providing them with a natural source of food and entertainment as they hunt for the bugs. Additionally, placing finished compost in chicken pens can also give chickens access to a variety of bugs, including slaters, without causing harm to your garden. This practice can help clean up bug infestations in compost piles while providing essential protein to your chickens.
It is important to note that slaters require moisture and darkness to survive, so they are typically found in damp and covered places. They are related to marine crabs, lobsters, and prawns but have adapted to living on land. Female slaters keep their eggs in a pouch until they hatch, and the young slaters stay in the pouch for a short time before becoming completely independent.
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Slaters can be distracted from eating plants
Slaters, also known as woodlice, sowbugs, pill bugs, or Roly Poleys, are tiny land-living crustaceans found all over Australia. They are beneficial for gardens as they eat organic matter and return nutrients to the soil. However, they can occasionally feed on young plants, and their populations can explode due to the use of mulch in gardens, which creates perfect breeding conditions for them.
If slaters are becoming a problem, there are several ways to distract them from eating plants without resorting to chemical sprays or baits, which can harm other animals and insects. Firstly, slaters love to eat potato peelings and oranges, so leaving some hollowed-out orange halves or seedling punnets filled with potato peelings in the garden can distract them from eating plants. Just remember to empty the slaters away from any seedlings you want to protect.
Another way to protect young plants is to grow them in pots or on structures that keep the leaves and fruit off the ground, as slaters are less likely to feed on them. For example, strawberries and melons can be grown in pots to protect the ripening fruit from slaters. When sowing seeds, keep the mulch clear of the furrow, as slaters don't like to venture far from cover. Additionally, older plants with tougher stems are less attractive to slaters than young seedlings.
You can also make your garden less favourable to slaters by reducing compost and disturbing it frequently by raking it during hot, dry days. Chickens and ducks also love to eat slaters and will help control their population while getting a good source of protein. Finally, you can use iron chelate-based snail pellets, which are safe for pets and provide iron for your plants.
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Frequently asked questions
Slaters, also known as woodlice, sowbugs, pill bugs, Roly Poly Bugs, and 'butcher boys', are crustaceans that are related to crabs, lobsters, and prawns. They are usually considered beneficial to gardens.
Slaters are detritivores and feed mainly on decaying organic matter. They are scavengers and are terrific at breaking down organic matter and returning nutrients to the soil. They also occasionally feed on young plants and seedlings.
Slaters are considered pests when they start feeding on seedlings and causing damage to crops. In south-eastern Australia, slaters have caused damage to wheat, oats, lentils, and pastures.
To get rid of slaters, you can make your garden less favourable to them by reducing compost and mulch, and disturbing them with raking during hot, dry days. You can also set traps using hollowed-out orange halves or potato peelings to distract them from your plants.
