Are sow bugs and woodlice the same thing?

Yes, sowbugs and woodlice are the same. The crustaceans in question (Oniscidea isopod order of arthropods) carry the common names boat-builder, carpenter or wood bug in Canada and sowbug or woodlouse in the United States of America. They receive the common names cheese-log in England and slater in Australia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland and Scotland.