Tropeds are millipedes and can occasionally be found in potting soil. Find out in this article whether the small arthropods are dangerous for you, your pets or your plants and how you can effectively get rid of them.
How dangerous are cordfoots in potting soil?
If you discover cordfoots in the potting soil of your plants, you don't need to worry. They arenot dangerous or poisonous to people, pets and plants. In fact, they are more beneficial and eat pests such as lice and other insects.
Where do the cordfoots in potting soil come from?
Potting soil is the ideal habitat for cordfoots. They eat and digest small insects and parts of plants that have died. This makes them an important link in the rotting process. For example, if you get soilfrom the garden or compost, eggs or adult millipedes are often present and end up in the pot of your houseplants. Cordfoots can also colonize in cheap potting soil that has not been sterilized or stored properly. Also look out for possible infestation with plants from the discount store.
How do I effectively combat cordfoots in potting soil?
Since cordfoots are actually beneficial insects, you don't have to fight them. If you still want to get rid of the little crawlers without using insecticide, you can collect them or subject the plant to a dip:
- Place the affected plant in a larger container and fill it completely with water.
- Leave the plant in the water for at least ten minutes.
- Take them out of the water again and let them drain well.
Adult cordfoots or their eggs hardly survive this immersion.
How do I prevent cordfoot in the potting soil?
Buy onlyhigh-quality potting soil from specialist retailers that has been stored properly. This is hygienically processed before packaging and contains no centipedes or pests in the substrate. In addition, you should not spread soil from the garden or from your compost in the flower pots of your balcony or house plants.
Tip
Do not control cordfoot in potting soil with insecticides
If string-footed insects like earthworms wind their way through the potting soil, you should not use an insecticide. This not only harms the animals, but also the plant and yourself. If an immersion bath doesn't help, you can also repot the affected plant in fresh substrate. To do this, carefully and completely remove the old soil from the roots and dispose of it in the compost.
