Not a pretty sight: if small, transparent worms cavort in your potting soil, it's a big shock. What is that? Are they dangerous for my plants? How do I get rid of them? You can find out all about it here.
What are the transparent worms in potting soil?
The small, transparent worms in the potting soil are thelarvae of the fungus gnat or mourning fly. They are thinner than earthworms, pale and translucent. Their length varies between 5 and 30 millimeters depending on the stage.
Are transparent worms in potting soil harmful?
The transparent fungus gnat larvae will not harm your plants if you discover them outdoors. They eat dead material and are therefore actually beneficial insects. You should be concerned if the infected plant isin an enclosed area. They eat the fine roots and other parts of the plant because they cannot find anything else in the limited flower pot. In the worst case, the plant dies. Pathogens can also penetrate the feeding sites.
How do the little transparent worms get into the potting soil?
These are the most common causes of fungus gnat infestation:
- Cheap potting soil that contains compost. It exudes special scents for the fungus gnat and attracts them.
- Purchased plants that are infected.
- Favourable environment for the fungus gnats. Fungus gnats need a warm and moist environment to lay their eggs in the soil.
What can you do about transparent worms in the potting soil?
In any case, you should act quickly. Fungus gnats reproduce very quickly. Every three weeks they lay between 50 and 300 eggs and attack other plants. Repot the infected houseplant as follows:
- Free the plant from the old potting soil without damaging the roots.
- Check the plant to see if there are any pests left.
- Place the plant in fresh, ideally sterile soil.
- Observe the plant every few days for further infestation.
How do I permanently get rid of transparent worms in the soil?
You can also use the following methods to get rid of the pests:
- Drought: You cannot water drought-resistant houseplants for a while. As the soil dries out, it becomes hard and the mourning flies cannot lay eggs and reproduce.
- Gravel: Protect non-dry-resistant plants by spreading a layer of gravel or stone on the soil. This is how you prevent the fly from laying eggs.
- Collect: Place the pot in a container filled with water. This causes the worms to swim to the surface and can be collected.
Tip
Sterilize the soil to prevent the transparent worms
Heat purchased or collected garden soil in the oven or microwave before potting. Place the potting soil on baking paper on a large baking tray in the oven at 220 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes. Or set the microwave to 900 watts for five minutes.
