Sow bugs measure 1/2 inch in length. They have a flattened, oval-shaped body. Their coloration can vary, ranging from gray to brown. Both species are primarily nocturnal and are most active during the night. They feed on live vegetation.
Pill bugs are 1/2 inch in length. They have a more rounded body compared to sow bugs. Their coloration is typically dark gray to black. Pill bugs can roll into a tight ball when threatened, hence their alternative name, “roly-polies.” In gardens, sow bugs and pill bugs target ripening fruits and vegetables, particularly those in direct contact with the soil.