If it comes to life in potting soil, small, bright animals have nested in that don't belong there. This guide explains what pests we are talking about. Benefit from tried-and-tested tips for successful combat with home remedies.
How do you fight small, light-colored animals in the potting soil?
Small, bright animals in the potting soil are usually fungus gnat larvae, springtails, root mites or thrips larvae. To combat this, you can repot the plant, use special nematodes or predatory mites, or use home remedies such as soap and alcohol solution, baking soda or nylon stockings.
What are those little, bright animals in the potting soil?
Small, light-colored animals in potting soil are oftensick gnat larvae, sometimes springtails, root mites or thrips larvae. These pests gnaw on the underground plant material until the plant dies:
- Sciaridae larvae: 2-7 mm, grayish-transparent, black head capsule.
- Springtails (Collembola): 0.1-17 mm, white, antennae on head, 6 legs, prefer wet potting soil.
- Root mites (Rhizoglyphus): 1-1.5 mm, shiny white, spider-shaped, 8 legs.
- Thrips larvae (Thysanoptera): 1-4 mm, translucent light green, wingless, 6 legs.
How can you fight small, light-colored animals in potting soil?
The best way to combat small, bright animals in potting soil is to repot the infected houseplantin disinfected substrate, first removing all of the contaminated soil from the root area and cleaning the flower pot with vinegar water. In addition, thesehome remedies have proven themselves excellent:
- Apply beneficial insects: nematodes (especially Steinernema-feltiae), predatory mites (especially Hypoaspis miles)
- Water the root area with soap and alcohol solution.
- Place the root ball in a bucket of water and skim off the pests.
- Sift the substrate with baking powder.
- Pull the nylon stocking over the flower pot from below, tie it at the root collar to stop the propagation cycle.
Tip
Spider mites also nest in potting soil
If small spiders scurry through the potting soil, they are spider mites. The mites are 0.1-0.5 mm small with a red, brown or yellow-green pear-shaped body. The pests usually sit on leaves to suck the nutrient-rich plant sap. But old, depleted potting soil is also welcome as a breeding place. Proven home remedies for combating spider mites include soap and alcohol solution, rapeseed oil spray, neem and beneficial insects such as predatory mites and lacewing larvae.
