The Hidden Life of Pill Bugs: What Happens Beneath the Leaf Litter
Explore the hidden lives of pill bugs beneath the leaf litter—from moisture and decomposition to molting, reproduction, and social behavior.
James
Hi my name is James, and I'm a biologist here at Ficarro Farms, a small family farm, feel free to ask me anything whether it's about isopods, or gardening!
Do Isopods Need Calcium? What Molting Research Actually Shows
Calcium is structural to an isopod’s cuticle, but not every bad molt proves a deficiency. Here is what research supports and how to apply it… Read More »Do Isopods Need Calcium? What Molting Research Actually Shows
Why Are My Red Wigglers Climbing the Sides of the Bin?
Red wigglers climbing a worm bin can signal excess moisture, low oxygen, overheating or a newly disturbed habitat. Learn what to check first.
How Long Should Isopods Rest After Shipping Before a Classroom Lab?
Learn why recently shipped pill bugs may need time to settle, how to plan their arrival, and when a classroom behavior test should begin.
What Size Container Do You Need for a Classroom Isopod Lab?
Choose a practical classroom isopod container by activity, group size, ventilation, and observation time—without overcrowding the animals or overbuying.
How Deep Should Isopod Substrate Be? A Classroom Experiment
There is not one honest substrate depth for every isopod species, container, substrate, and ventilation setup. A deeper layer can hold more water and allow… Read More »How Deep Should Isopod Substrate Be? A Classroom Experiment
How to Keep Red Wigglers Alive in a Classroom Over the Weekend
Most classroom worm bins do not need a complicated weekend routine. The goal is a stable habitat before Friday: moist bedding, airflow, moderate temperature, and… Read More »How to Keep Red Wigglers Alive in a Classroom Over the Weekend
How Much Food Can Red Wigglers Process?
There is no dependable rule that every red wiggler colony will process a fixed percentage of its body weight every day. Red wigglers (Eisenia fetida)… Read More »How Much Food Can Red Wigglers Process?
Do Isopods Prefer Fresh or Aged Leaf Litter? A Classroom Experiment
Test whether pill bugs or sowbugs use fresh or aged leaf litter differently with this controlled classroom experiment and data plan.
Should You Feed Isopods During a Classroom Lab?
Should students feed pill bugs during a choice-chamber lab? Learn when food helps, when it confounds results, and how to plan care safely.