Slaters

Order Isopoda

Slaters, also known as Sowbugs, Wood Lice and Pillbugs are in fact, not insects, but crustaceans, more closely related to prawns crabs and lobsters .

They are one of only two species of crustaceans that have adapted to living solely on land, although they still need to live in a fairly moist exterior environment

Although they will, from time to time enter buildings, their presence is purely nuisance value, as they do not bite, sting, or known to transmit diseases, nor do they infest food, clothing or wood.

Slaters range in size from 6mm to 12mm long and are usually dark to slate grey. They have oval, multi-segmented bodies, are convex above but flat or concave underneath. They possess seven pairs of legs and two pairs of antennae although only one pair of antennae is readily visible. Slaters have two tail-like appendages which project out from the rear end of the body.

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The most common of this group of pests is the Bronze Orange Bug; Musgraveia sulciventris.

The young (nymphs are usually green in colour and easily camoflage among the leaves of the host tree. They gradually darken to orange or orange/black, often attaining 25mm in length.

Essentially pests of citrus trees, they feed upon the young shoots flowers and fruit

When disturbed the bugs will position themselves in order to squirt an vile smelling chemical in the direction of their attacker. The chemical not only has a shocking smell, it also stains skin and clothing and can cause a burning sensation if squirted or rubbed into the eyes.

Do It Yourself Pest Control

Treat the underside of leaves with a soap spray during winter. Eggs and nymphs are present at this time and if winter control is achieved, the population of adults will be well down to eliminated when they are at their worst during mid-summer and autumn. The eggs are little white spheres, laid on the underside of leaves for protection and are always found in groups of 4 lines.

If summer has arrived and you already have a problem, the following remedies are useful:

• Manual removal if there aren’t too many. Use gloves and a pair of goggles, knock them off into a bucket of boiling water.
• Vinegar spray may be useful in controlling both caterpillars and sap-sucking insects such as stink bugs, aphids, and mealybugs.
• Only those with a spare, old vacuum would dare try it. Vacuum them off the leaves and, at least throw away the dust bag (if not the vacuum cleaner),

Vinegar spray recipe

Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water and add 5 g of pure soap flakes.

Take a look at Rid Pest Control’s Website for more information.