Symphylans (Garden Centipede) experience?
Anybody have experience & srategies in dealing with symphylans, also
known as garden centipede? I first saw them in my garden on
strawberries which had touched the soil. When i lifted them the
undersides were eaten away and hanging from them were what looked like
tiny grey worms.
Over the next 2-3 years I've been seeing them in the soil when I
disturb it, and on bits of organic stuff I dig up. I blame them for an
increasing incidence of poor germination and stunted seedlings in the
garden.
The only strategy I've come up with so far is to try & raise big
sturdy seedlings in "safe" potting mix before setting out. This is a
nuisance on several coutns - space for one - and isn't possible with
all veggies.
The references I've found suggest (apart from some chemicals that I
don't want to use) rotational fallowing, planting "trap crops,"
compacting the soil around sown seed (!) and a few other unattractive
strategies. None are held out as being highly effective.
Anyone have (preferrably non-chemical) experience in dealing with
these pests?
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