Isopods are Everywhere

There are tens of thousands of isopods. These crustaceans can be found in saltwater, freshwater and on land. Two species, Sphaeroma Terebans and Limnoiriids can destroy your dock. Even docks built with CCA treated lumber are vulnerable to attack. S. Terebans will even bore into creosote treated wood.

They closely resembles its terrestrial counterpart, the “roly poly” and even rolls into a ball when removed from its burrow.  While they prefer lower salinity water, they can thrive in freshwater. Because they are filter feeders, this species of ispod can establish a home in nearly anything including mangroves, timber pilings, Styrofoam floats and carpet.  While they don’t consume wood as their primary food source, they do create burrows that are larger than most marine borers (approximately ½ inch in diameter.)

Isopod infested wood has a honeycomb appearance, with pilings taking on an hourglass shape late in the infestation. They attack the inter-tidal zone and are capable of living out of the water for lengthy periods of time.  When they reproduce, their young usually establish independent burrows nearby.  They are capable swimmers and will leave their burrows if the conditions become unfavorable, causing an infestation to spread to neighboring structures. 

If caught early on, pilings and cross braces can be protected to stop further damage.  A dock inspection can spot borer activity before the infestation spreads. Preventative measures like piling wrap should be taken, whether in salt or fresh water. 

S. Terebans are usually dark in color and can grow to about 0.4” in length.

Early detection is key to stopping an infestation.

Sphaeroma Terebans closely resembles its terrestrial counterpart, the “roly poly” and even rolls into a ball when removed from its burrow.

Isopod infested wood has a honeycomb appearance, with pilings taking on an hourglass shape late in the infestation.