WOODLICE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 74, 18 June 1927, Page 16

WOODLICE

WORSE THAN SLUGS

Many gardeners are constantly laying blame of wanton destruction to the door of the poor slug and snail. Certainly they are pests and cause much damage. But the worst enemy of the gardener is the woodlouse (Oniscus). These are distinctly related to the crab and lobster family and are really not insects at all. They are greyish in colour with hard backs and when alarmed curl themselves into a round bail. They are scavengers and feed on all refuse and decayed vegetation. If the Oniscus would .stop at this they would be very useful but if given a chance they will immediately turn their attention to any tender green leaf that may be within their reach. Yeung seedlings, just germinating are one of their favourite diets. They often nip the tops from the young plant, leaving the bare stalk and in the morning we look round muttering swear words under our breaths and blaming the slugs. Wooden borders and garden frames are their favourite haunts where they can hide among the rotten wood. They are largely night feeders, thus the mysterious disappearance "if our plants. Fortunately they are easily exterminated by laying traps for them to hide under and stamping them out as they collect. If this operation is repeated several times they will soon be held in check. Another and quicker method is to procure loz. of Paris green and mix it with a little bran or pollard and sprinkle round uf fected parts. The woodlice will eat the pollen and be poisoned imm ~_xtely.