What Are Isopods and why are they good for the environment and bioactive vivariums?

What Are Isopods?

Isopods are crustaceans - the same broad group that includes shrimp and crabs, belonging to the order Isopoda. There are over 10,000 species, ranging from marine isopods to the familiar terrestrial forms like woodlice and pillbugs.

Terrestrial isopods (the ones used in bioactive setups and soil systems) live in leaf litter, rotting wood, and moist soil.

Why Are Isopods Good for the Environment?

1. They are exceptional decomposers!

Isopods break down dead plant material, leaf litter, and decaying wood, speeding up decomposition and recycling nutrients back into the soil.

• They fragment organic matter into smaller pieces

• This makes it easier for microbes &fungi to finish the decomposition process

• The result is nutrient‑rich soil that supports healthy plant growth

2. They improve soil health

Isopods contribute to soil structure and fertility in several ways:

• Nutrient cycling: They release nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients

• Soil aeration: Their burrowing helps oxygen reach deeper soil layers

• Moisture regulation: Their help maintain a stable, healthy soil environment

3. They support biodiversity

Isopods are a food source for many animals—birds, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals—making them an important part of the food web.

Their presence increases ecosystem resilience by:

• Supporting microbial communities

• Enhancing plant growth

• Creating microhabitats for other invertebrates

4. They help control pests

Some isopod species help suppress harmful organisms by:

• Consuming mould

• Breaking down waste that could otherwise harbour pests

• Competing with or reducing populations of certain soil pests

5. They act as “ecosystem stabilisers”

Because they rapidly break down organic matter and maintain soil structure, isopods help stabilise ecosystems—especially forests and gardens—by keeping nutrient cycles flowing smoothly.

All in all they are great for the environment AND bioactive vivariums!

Do isopods make fun pets?!

YES!! They’re active and interesting to watch! They roam, graze, burrow, and interact with each other. Some species curl into balls, others sprint around like tiny tanks!

They come in amazing colours and patterns. There are breeds like Orange Dalmatian, Dairy Cow, Rubber Ducky, Lava and Zebra.

They’re low‑maintenance! They need a simple enclosure, minimal feeding and are odourless, make no noise and no mess.

They’re great for beginners and experts and, EVEN BETTER, if they live in your exotic pet's bioactive enclosure, they will be your clean up crew!

What's not to love?!

Come to our shop and buy woodlice of your BIOME BOMB today!

Close-up view of a woodlouse