Slaters and pill bugs,
handled at the source.
Grey, armoured, oval-bodied crawlers turning up in numbers in the bathroom, laundry or garden bed after rain. Slaters (also called pill bugs or woodlice) are actually land-dwelling crustaceans, not insects — moisture is what draws them in, and moisture is where the fix starts. TCB treats the perimeter, the garden beds and the subfloor, with practical advice on the moisture sources that keep bringing them back.
The signs that point to a slater problem.
Numbers after rain
A sudden wave of slaters in the bathroom, laundry or along the skirting after wet weather — they're pushed indoors as garden moisture levels shift.
Curls into a ball
True pill bugs roll into a tight ball when disturbed — the easiest way to tell them apart from the flatter, faster-moving slater species that don't curl.
Damp, dark harbourage
Found under pot plants, mulch, garden edging, compost and anywhere organic matter stays damp and shaded.
Grey-brown armoured body
Segmented, oval, grey to brown, seven pairs of legs — distinct from ants, cockroaches or spiders and harmless to handle.
Same team.
Written report.
Fully licensed, fully insured, and locally based — our technicians live and work across the ACT, so they know what's normal for the season and what needs a second look.
Two steps from inspection to a drier, quieter home.
A slater visit is straightforward — identify where the moisture and harbourage are, treat the perimeter and garden beds, and leave you with practical steps to keep numbers down long-term.
Inspection
We walk the property, garden beds and subfloor to find where moisture is collecting and where slaters are sheltering during the day.
Perimeter treatment
A residual barrier around the foundation line, entry points and known harbourage areas — mulch beds, garden edging, sheds and the subfloor.
Moisture advice
Practical, written guidance on drainage, mulch depth and garden-bed placement against the house — the changes that reduce the problem long-term.
Follow-up
If numbers persist inside the guarantee window, we re-treat as part of that guarantee.
Slaters aren't dangerous — but large numbers are a nuisance worth fixing.
Harmless to people and pets
Slaters don't bite, sting or carry disease. They're a nuisance and an indicator of excess moisture, not a health risk.
No structural damage
Unlike termites, slaters don't damage timber or structures — they feed on decaying organic matter in the garden.
A moisture indicator
Large numbers usually point to a drainage or mulch issue worth addressing, not just a pest to spray away.
Common after Canberra's wet spells
Autumn and spring rain reliably brings a wave of activity across the ACT — it's one of the most seasonal calls we get.
What keeps slaters from coming back.
Pull mulch back from the foundation
Keep a gap between garden mulch and the house wall — mulch against the foundation is the number one harbourage.
Improve drainage
Fix any spot where water pools against the house after rain — that's the moisture slaters are chasing.
Clear damp leaf litter
Regularly clear leaf litter and organic debris from garden beds close to the house.
The questions Canberra households ask first.
Are slaters dangerous?
No. Slaters don't bite, sting or carry disease — they're a nuisance, not a health risk, and cause no structural damage.
Why are there suddenly so many?
Slaters are pushed toward doorways and indoors when garden moisture levels change sharply, typically after rain. Large numbers usually point to a moisture or mulch issue nearby.
Are slaters and pill bugs the same thing?
They're closely related — pill bugs are the species that roll into a tight ball when disturbed, while other slater species don't. Both respond to the same treatment approach.
Will treatment stop them permanently?
The perimeter treatment knocks numbers down and holds for the season. Fixing the underlying moisture source (mulch against the wall, poor drainage) is what stops them coming back long-term.
How much does slater treatment cost in Canberra?
It's usually bundled into a general pest visit — priced individually based on the property. We send a written quote before any work starts.
Dry it out.
Keep them out.
Slaters follow the moisture. TCB treats the perimeter and garden beds, and tells you exactly what's drawing them in — so the fix actually holds, not just the spray.
Book slater control
today.
Tell us where you're seeing activity. We'll get back within one business day with a written quote and the next available visit.