Sow bugs and pill bugs are scavengers and feed mainly on decaying organic matter. They occasionally feed on young plants but the damage inflicted is seldom significant. Sow bugs and pill bugs thrive only in areas of high moisture, and tend to remain hidden under objects during the day. Around buildings they are common under mulch, compost, boards, stones, flower pots, and other items resting on damp ground. Another frequent hiding place is behind the grass edge adjoining sidewalks and foundations.

The Pill bug are often called roly-poly's because they will roll up on a tight ball when disturbed and are not insects but land dwelling crustaceans.

Sow bugs and pill bugs may leave their natural habitats at night, and crawl about over sidewalks, patios, and foundations. They often invade crawl spaces, damp basements and first floors of houses at ground level. Common points of entry into buildings include door thresholds (especially at the base of sliding glass doors), expansion joints, and through the voids of concrete block walls. Frequent sightings of these pests indoors usually means that there are large numbers breeding on the outside, close to the foundation. Since sow bugs and pill bugs require moisture, they do not survive indoors for more than a few days unless there are very moist or damp conditions.

Both pill bugs and sow bugs feed on decaying vegetable matter and are found under mulch, vegetable debris, or other objects on damp ground.

Pill bugs or Sow bugs tend to feed on decaying organic matter and cause little to no damage on established healthy plants. They can, however, when their numbers are high enough, severely damage seedlings by chewing on leaves and fine roots.