Sowbugs are full grown and ready to mate in a year. They can live up to three years under ideal conditions. Due to their sheer multitude sow bugs can become a bit pesky in the garden. Since sowbugs breathe through gills, they must have moisture to survive. Eliminating dark moist places will cure a sowbug problem.
Containerized plants sitting on concrete or wood create ideal conditions for sowbugs.
They will crawl up into the drainage holes and feed on roots and decaying material in the potting soil. The best way to solve the problem is to place wooden spacers made of 1 by 2's under pots to create an air space. This keeps the area between pot and ground surface dry and lighted. To prevent sowbugs from congregating around foundations, keep weeds and organic mulches 6 to 8 inches away. Finding colonies of sowbugs indoors, especially in bathroom and kitchen areas, means they are feeding on wet decaying material near by.