what are these bugs??

[Sugar Magnolia]

I can't figure out what these bugs are. They are about the size of a pillbug, but they look different and don't curl up. These are the bigger ones, but there are also many that are very tiny. I tried the water/soap/cinnamon extract thing and also regular insecticide. They can apparently live for HOURS in both before I just get so creeped out that I give up!! They're making me nuts! Please help!! Thanks bunches!!

[dr_frnkblck]

Not all pill bugs roll up into a ball. Local colloquialism around here is the ones that roll up are pill bugs or potato bugs. The ones that don't are sow bugs. They aren't necessarily bad for your plants but you probably will want to be safe rather than sorry.

Isopod, Pillbug, Sow Bug Information

[LouisW]

They are also called wood lice.

[articuno75]

I had the same thing on a couple of orchids that I found that the Brookn's recipe didn't work on. Certain types of tater bugs, or whatever they are called, is what didn't work on them. Still, make the solution as a dunk and dip your orchids. You can pick them off.

Once off, I never had them come back, so I'm thinking it at least kills the eggs.

[Sugar Magnolia]

oh my gosh! thank you! thank you! They creep me out beyond words, but now I know what the heck they are!

[glossterline]

As LouisW rightly says, the creatures are woodlice. They are Crustacea and related to crabs, lobsters, prawns etc., rather than being related to insects. They inhabit damp habitats and cannot cope with drought; hence they love composts, spaces under plant pots, leaf litter etc. They are not associated with initiating plant damage, but they will browse on damaged leaves or roots. Unless they are causing you much grief, just let them be!

Les