Millipedes In Houseplant Soil

Potted plants tend to be an attractant for millipedes because of the damp soil.

Millipedes in houseplant soil. They do not bite. You can repot the plant in its original container after thoroughly washing the container in a 10 percent solution of diluted bleach. The pot covered the sink hole at the bottom so i didn t have to use the sink stopper. A few kinds of millipedes produce an irritating exudate if mishandled.

Millipedes can infest your potted plants because of the young seedlings or soil. They feed mainly on decaying vegetation and will not likely pose any harm to your plants to you or your home. Allow the soil to dry out as much as possible in between waterings without resulting in injury to the plant. This will make the specimen undesirable to moisture loving millipedes.

Don t leave them lying around in your garden or lawn as these will decompose further and attract millipedes. Remove decomposed plant materials dead leaves etc immediately after weeding or pruning. Millipedes came to surface when you watered the plant. Purchase either of these powders from garden centers and sprinkle it into the soil where the millipedes are congregating.

To kill eggs and larvae allow the soil to dry out before watering again. House centipedes scutigera coleoptrata find comfort in dark. So regularly lift up your pots to check. Both products will make microscopic cuts that dehydrate and kill the millipedes.

At times these pests can cause damage to soft fruits and berries that come in contact with the soil. Spread diatomaceous earth or boric acid in the soil around your yard. Rake up and dispose of all fallen leaves and plant debris around the house if millipedes are invading outdoor pots. They eat younger leaflets and females will deposit eggs in moist soil.

The boric acid also acts as a stomach poison that will kill the millipedes. If your potted plants have either of these it may be an attractant for millipedes. Water early in the day to give the soil plenty of time to dry out before millipedes become most active. Repot the houseplant in clean sterile potting soil.

Remove dead leaves and plant materials from the soil surface in pots whether. I took the 12 plant i had which was infested as well and put it in the kitchen sink. If one or a few centipedes are finding refuge on the soil of your houseplants don t fret. Millipedes also like hiding on the dark underside of damp earthen pots.

Remove the plant from its original pot and shake excess soil loose from the rootball so you can access and pick off any worms in the soil. This lead me to try something. I began filling the plant with water.