Woodlice

[Juju]

OK bit of a weird question but do woodlice eat plaster? I know they like to live in damp places but we can't understand why the plaster on our chimney breast is crumbling away. There's a water pipe through the chimney breast which has been replaced although there was no evidence it had actually been leaking but we still have soft plaster in one section which is still falling off (along with flaky bits of brick) and the only thing as far as we can see is that woodlice like that bit of the kitchen! No matter how often I hoover them up, they reappear in the crevices of the bits of exposed brick and crumbling plaster. We ought to remove the plaster ideally to see what's happening but Mr Juju doesn't like it when I start a job or rip out bits of the house and then leave it in an unfinished state. Neither of us are any good at plastering so we'd probably have to leave it till we get the kitchen re-done (about 10 years time!)

I suppose it might be general condensation in the kitchen making the chimney breast damp and maybe it just hasn't dried out yet (assuming there had been a leak). We've got the gas fire working there now so maybe that will help discourage the woodlice.
Juju

 

[biffvernon]

No. But you're right about them liking to live in damp places. They're using the plaster as a home but not for food.

 

[chuckey]

Woodlice might live (breed?) in damp places but they seem to be under some urge to climb upwards (looking for wood?). My house in hampshire once had a wood louse in the bedroom ceiling coving, it must have got in through the open bedroom window. It would be interesting to know what the little b**gers eat, also they seem to get by with an absolute minimum of water - no condensation on the bedroom ceiling.
Frank

 

[Flyfisher]

Woodlice indoors suggests a damp problem somewhere.
Some woodlice info here: http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/wlice.htm

 

[shelli]

we all used the Kendall Bioresearch page then!!

Yes Juju - they like your chimney breast because it's damp - but they aren't the cause of the problem

 

[Juju]

Hmmm, sounds like we need to re-investigate the cause of the damp then. I think we'd better remove the soft plaster and see what's going on. It's like a little haven for wildlife - now several large spiders have taken up residence. Call me picky but I don't like too much insect-life in the kitchen!
Juju

 

[Penners]

Woodlice, don't eat plaster. They don't eat wood, either.

 

[Moo]

So - what do they eat?

 

[Flyfisher]

From my earlier link: . . . they feed chiefly on rotting wood and other decaying vegetable matter.