Why do woodlice always seem to keel over and die about two feet from the wall...?
Asked by
nebule (
16452
)
September 3rd, 2010
I’ve tried watching them before but never actually witnessed the event…However, I frequently see wood lice walking around near skirting boards… but then walk back in the room later and bless their little hearts…have keeled over and popped their clogs… legs up in the air… and always around about two feet from the wall… anyone know why? Is it some last cry for help to come out of the woodwork and then they just run out of steam?
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14 Answers
Your writing is very picturesque…but, if I might ask, what are woodlice? I’m assuming that they are not like head lice. Please explain.
This is one :-) and thank you x
Do you have an exterminator that treats the floorboards? (We always called them “pill bugs” or “roly poly bugs”.)
Never heard “popped their clogs” before.
I have no information on that, just wanted to say this is the cutest damn question I’ve read in awhile. bug stuff usually gives me the jim-jams, so that’s saying a lot!
@syz no it’s rented and it usually takes my landlord an age to get anything done…and they’re not really that bothersome to be honest…just kinda feel sorry for them… Extremely slow crawling insects = OK.(with the potential exception of the slug!) Fast crawling insects = belong outside for sure!
@JilltheTooth thank you that’s really lovely to hear…thank you thank you… have been thinking about this for some time but never got round to asking such (what seems like) a trivial question…
I act the exact same way when leaving the pub after closing time.
@lynneblundell What a captivating slew of information on that site. They are hawking a book…but, the information is freely laid out. I have to agree with @JilltheTooth , your colorful question conjures up visuals like pretty vintage table cloths and old-fashioned kitchen smells…maybe, even an AGA. Definitely, not BUGS.
@RealEyesRealizeRealLies…hee hee you are funny…I like it x
@MissA I haven’t actually looked at the site…do they give the answer to my question? must have a look in the morn… that’s after I go and keel over with god knows what is attacking my immune system!
@lynneblundell Let me know how that works out…I just began eating goji berries myself.
@MissA ooh,... I have some of those!!!
Maybe they’re blissed out by the vast expanse of wood before them and they die from happiness? I do not know, but had to answer your question becasue the title was hilarious. Probably the funniest question I have ever seen on Fluther!
It’s most likely that they only die BECAUSE they’re this far from the wall. They lose enough water outside of their more damp habitation that they suffer from dessication and die as a consequence.
You’d think that they’d catch on then wouldn’t you and stay near their habitat! lol…Thank you for the great answer @thomahd x
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