What in the world is in my soil? š³
I went to move my plant and found a billion of these little centipedes lookin bugs, a few black/brown weird lookin bugs, and little tiny white bugs? #help #happyplants #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantaddict #pestcontrol
3
@brittnee Hi there. Scary! So I ran these through Google lens and came up with āPaederinae.ā a type of roach. Iām going to give you the Wikipedia link. It appears that they have something like venom that irritates skin. I donāt know whether these are more like a bee sting or a more serious spider bite, but I would review the information about them and make a decision of whatās best for you on how to deal with them. I donāt want to downplay them or oversteer them, but after a cursory look on google about the se bugs, I realized this is something that I shouldnāt be offering advice on. I would stay away from them and perhaps call an exterminator and explain what the google lens hit is and see what they say. The other long bodied bugs came up as greenhouse millipedes.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paederinae
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paederinae
@brittnee Hello Brittnee! It looks like a greenhouse millipede to me.
How to Control Millipedes in Houseplants
To control millipedes in houseplants pick them off, catch the millipedes with traps, attract animals such as frogs and doves to feed on the millipedes, use diatomaceous earth, spray chemicals, get rid of the potting soil, or use essential oils such as tea tree oil and peppermint oil.
Millipedes are attracted to moisture-rich places and dark locations such as the underground or under the stones and logs.
They do not feed on humans or damage buildings or furniture. However, they readily ingest plants and soil composts.
As surprising as it may sound, Millipedes can also be of considerable benefit; they can feed on the compost pile and decomposing plant matter.
The Millipedes break down the eaten contents and release them into their surroundings, ultimately enriching the soil with necessary nutrients.
Therefore, some plant lovers may also suggest you not to remove the Millipedes at all.
However, if things seem to be getting out of hand and your houseplants begin to suffer, it is best to remove the Millipedes before more damage occurs.
How to Remove Millipedes from Houseplants
There are numerous ways to get rid of Millipedes.
However, I recommend that you start with the mild and organic treatments before opting for the aggressive chemical-based ones.
If you can eliminate them by the easier options, using harsh chemicals, such as pesticides, is not required.
Millipedes can be of good use till they are only feeding on your dead plants or soil compost.
But, you may have to take action when they start infesting your seedlings and young shoots, and plants.
Another indication of removing Millipedes is when they multiply too fast, and you see more of them and less of your plants.
Pick the Millipedes off
You can start with the simplest way; pick the Millipedes off the houseplants with your hands or plant forceps.
The former option, removing the Millipedes manually, is definitely a way chosen by the brave-hearted. It is an easy and quick choice for those who are not squeamish about touching bugs in their garden.
The individuals who prefer not to hold the Millipedes directly can simply grab plant forceps or similar gardening tools and pick off the Millipedes with them.
Although a little tricky, this method is fairly safer and minimizes the probability of you developing any allergies.
Alternatively, you can purchase a shop vac and use this to suck up the Millipedes and dispose of them far away from your houseplants.
However, please ensure that you do not suck excessively and get rid of them as soon as you catch them in the shop vac.
Direct hand usage and plant tools are both acceptable. However, care must be taken that you do not put too much stress or squish the millipedes.
These pests release an unusual chemical that causes an unpleasant smell. Likewise, this foul smell may also lead to allergies and feeling of extreme discomfort.
Rarely, some Millipedes can bite your hand while you are holding them. The bite can cause intense irritation, or possibly, mild poisoning.
Therefore, the best way to manually pick off any pests, including Millipedes, is to do it with gloves and protecting clothing.
If you are sensitive to strong smells, I advise you to wear a mask or simply close your nose temporarily with a nose pin. Moreover, wear protective clothing, if necessary.
Catch the Millipedes with Traps
If you rather not get close to the Millipedes at all, removing them by catching them is another way. Simply form one of the traps below:
Plastic Bottle Trap
To make this, gather the following:
Plastic/Soda bottle with a cap
Vinyl tubing (can be purchased from a hardware store)
Tape
Pocket or kitchen knife
Piece(s) of ripe fruit
Put the ripe fruit inside the plastic/soda bottle; this will bring the Millipedes towards and inside the bottle.
Take your vinyl tubing and insert it into the plastic bottle. If it is the same width as the plastic bottleās mouth, directly put it in.
However, if it is a different size, make a small hole in the bottleās cap with the kitchen or pocket knife and then insert the vinyl tubing inside.
Put the vinyl tubing in the bottle so that approximately the tubingās 2-inch is inside the plastic bottle. Also, please ensure that the vinyl tubing does not touch the plastic bottleās sides.
To secure the tubing to the bottle, use some tape. This will prevent the tubing from sticking out of the bottle and help it remain in place.
Now place the plastic bottle trap, with the taped vinyl tubing, in the Millipedes infested potting soil or close to the infested plant.
The trick is to keep the plastic bottle lying on its side with the mouth in contact with the soil, possibly.
The Millipedes are most likely to be attracted towards the fruit piece and move inside the plastic bottle to feed on the treat.
Once inside, the Millipedes will not be able to crawl back out due to the constricted mouth.
Continue doing this until all the Millipedes are removed from the plant. Every day, take this plastic bottle filled with these pests and release the Millipedes far away from your plants.
This method may take some time but is reasonably budget-friendly and helps remove a considerable number of the Millipedes.
Diatomaceous Earth
Fossilized microscopic organisms, known as Diatoms, are called Diatomaceous Earth.
These organisms are found close to river beds, streams, oceans, lakes, and similar water bodies.
The Diatomaceous Earth, in powder form, is ideal for removing Anthropods like Millipedes.
The Diatomaceous Earth not only works against Millipedes, but also aphids, mealybugs, mites, and Japanese beetles. The powdered food-grade Diatomaceous Earth is available at local garden centers and some online stores.
The Diatomaceous Earth powder has pointed microscopic edges that often lodge in such insectsā joints.
These sharp boundaries cut the outer shell of the Anthropods, damaging their bodies and dehydrating them.
The dehydrated insects, Millipedes in this case, ultimately die.
If you do not wish to spread the Diatomaceous Earth powder in the soil, you can alternatively spray it upon your infested houseplants.
Once the Millipedes come into contact with the poisonous powder, they will be killed. However, the Diatomaceous Earth powder is organic and may take up a few days till it adversely affects the Millipedes.
As mentioned, the Diatomaceous Earth powder is mildly poisonous. Therefore, you must only spray it when there are no kids or pets around and are kept away from it until the powderās effects die down.
Moreover, please avoid inhaling it and wear a mask when spraying the Diatomaceous Earth powder. Although not fatal, the Diatomaceous Earth powder can cause significant irritation in the lungs when taken in.
To dilute it and ensure that it does not fly around or away from the affected plants, mix the Diatomaceous Earth powder with water and then spray it. When the water dries out, the powder becomes concentrated and begins showing its magic.
An alternate is Boric Acid, which can be bought from the laundry section at any shopping center.
I would get some Diatomaceous Earth to use to get rid of them. I use it for other insects as well.
How to Control Millipedes in Houseplants
To control millipedes in houseplants pick them off, catch the millipedes with traps, attract animals such as frogs and doves to feed on the millipedes, use diatomaceous earth, spray chemicals, get rid of the potting soil, or use essential oils such as tea tree oil and peppermint oil.
Millipedes are attracted to moisture-rich places and dark locations such as the underground or under the stones and logs.
They do not feed on humans or damage buildings or furniture. However, they readily ingest plants and soil composts.
As surprising as it may sound, Millipedes can also be of considerable benefit; they can feed on the compost pile and decomposing plant matter.
The Millipedes break down the eaten contents and release them into their surroundings, ultimately enriching the soil with necessary nutrients.
Therefore, some plant lovers may also suggest you not to remove the Millipedes at all.
However, if things seem to be getting out of hand and your houseplants begin to suffer, it is best to remove the Millipedes before more damage occurs.
How to Remove Millipedes from Houseplants
There are numerous ways to get rid of Millipedes.
However, I recommend that you start with the mild and organic treatments before opting for the aggressive chemical-based ones.
If you can eliminate them by the easier options, using harsh chemicals, such as pesticides, is not required.
Millipedes can be of good use till they are only feeding on your dead plants or soil compost.
But, you may have to take action when they start infesting your seedlings and young shoots, and plants.
Another indication of removing Millipedes is when they multiply too fast, and you see more of them and less of your plants.
Pick the Millipedes off
You can start with the simplest way; pick the Millipedes off the houseplants with your hands or plant forceps.
The former option, removing the Millipedes manually, is definitely a way chosen by the brave-hearted. It is an easy and quick choice for those who are not squeamish about touching bugs in their garden.
The individuals who prefer not to hold the Millipedes directly can simply grab plant forceps or similar gardening tools and pick off the Millipedes with them.
Although a little tricky, this method is fairly safer and minimizes the probability of you developing any allergies.
Alternatively, you can purchase a shop vac and use this to suck up the Millipedes and dispose of them far away from your houseplants.
However, please ensure that you do not suck excessively and get rid of them as soon as you catch them in the shop vac.
Direct hand usage and plant tools are both acceptable. However, care must be taken that you do not put too much stress or squish the millipedes.
These pests release an unusual chemical that causes an unpleasant smell. Likewise, this foul smell may also lead to allergies and feeling of extreme discomfort.
Rarely, some Millipedes can bite your hand while you are holding them. The bite can cause intense irritation, or possibly, mild poisoning.
Therefore, the best way to manually pick off any pests, including Millipedes, is to do it with gloves and protecting clothing.
If you are sensitive to strong smells, I advise you to wear a mask or simply close your nose temporarily with a nose pin. Moreover, wear protective clothing, if necessary.
Catch the Millipedes with Traps
If you rather not get close to the Millipedes at all, removing them by catching them is another way. Simply form one of the traps below:
Plastic Bottle Trap
To make this, gather the following:
Plastic/Soda bottle with a cap
Vinyl tubing (can be purchased from a hardware store)
Tape
Pocket or kitchen knife
Piece(s) of ripe fruit
Put the ripe fruit inside the plastic/soda bottle; this will bring the Millipedes towards and inside the bottle.
Take your vinyl tubing and insert it into the plastic bottle. If it is the same width as the plastic bottleās mouth, directly put it in.
However, if it is a different size, make a small hole in the bottleās cap with the kitchen or pocket knife and then insert the vinyl tubing inside.
Put the vinyl tubing in the bottle so that approximately the tubingās 2-inch is inside the plastic bottle. Also, please ensure that the vinyl tubing does not touch the plastic bottleās sides.
To secure the tubing to the bottle, use some tape. This will prevent the tubing from sticking out of the bottle and help it remain in place.
Now place the plastic bottle trap, with the taped vinyl tubing, in the Millipedes infested potting soil or close to the infested plant.
The trick is to keep the plastic bottle lying on its side with the mouth in contact with the soil, possibly.
The Millipedes are most likely to be attracted towards the fruit piece and move inside the plastic bottle to feed on the treat.
Once inside, the Millipedes will not be able to crawl back out due to the constricted mouth.
Continue doing this until all the Millipedes are removed from the plant. Every day, take this plastic bottle filled with these pests and release the Millipedes far away from your plants.
This method may take some time but is reasonably budget-friendly and helps remove a considerable number of the Millipedes.
Diatomaceous Earth
Fossilized microscopic organisms, known as Diatoms, are called Diatomaceous Earth.
These organisms are found close to river beds, streams, oceans, lakes, and similar water bodies.
The Diatomaceous Earth, in powder form, is ideal for removing Anthropods like Millipedes.
The Diatomaceous Earth not only works against Millipedes, but also aphids, mealybugs, mites, and Japanese beetles. The powdered food-grade Diatomaceous Earth is available at local garden centers and some online stores.
The Diatomaceous Earth powder has pointed microscopic edges that often lodge in such insectsā joints.
These sharp boundaries cut the outer shell of the Anthropods, damaging their bodies and dehydrating them.
The dehydrated insects, Millipedes in this case, ultimately die.
If you do not wish to spread the Diatomaceous Earth powder in the soil, you can alternatively spray it upon your infested houseplants.
Once the Millipedes come into contact with the poisonous powder, they will be killed. However, the Diatomaceous Earth powder is organic and may take up a few days till it adversely affects the Millipedes.
As mentioned, the Diatomaceous Earth powder is mildly poisonous. Therefore, you must only spray it when there are no kids or pets around and are kept away from it until the powderās effects die down.
Moreover, please avoid inhaling it and wear a mask when spraying the Diatomaceous Earth powder. Although not fatal, the Diatomaceous Earth powder can cause significant irritation in the lungs when taken in.
To dilute it and ensure that it does not fly around or away from the affected plants, mix the Diatomaceous Earth powder with water and then spray it. When the water dries out, the powder becomes concentrated and begins showing its magic.
An alternate is Boric Acid, which can be bought from the laundry section at any shopping center.
I would get some Diatomaceous Earth to use to get rid of them. I use it for other insects as well.
