GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post - Tiny centipedes in house plants

David Hare-Scott[_2_] · 16-06-2013, 11:25 AM posted to rec.gardens

David E. Ross wrote:
On 6/15/13 4:12 PM, wrote:
On Friday, April 9, 1999 12:00:00 AM UTC-7, Bugged wrote:
Hello Rec.Gardens.
I don't normally read or post here, but on other NGs; but I thought
someone could lend their expertise?
We have some houseplants with extra space in their large pots. Last
December we bought some tulip bulbs and planted them in various pots
hoping for some early tulips. Well, some are still growing from the
soil in the pot, and some died. Today we went to remove the ones
that did not rise, and at least one of the pots now has very tiny
"centipedes" in it.
Presumably, these grew from and fed on the dead bulbs (appeared that
way), and are now in the top-most layers of the potted soil.
HELP! There are no other places where they appear in the plant, so
we are not afraid these will attack the stems/branches and leaves
of the plant (rubber tree). However, we are worried the bugs are
eating or will eat the roots. There is little chance the bugs
will leave the pot, as it is large, very deep and the bugs
themselves do not like to be seen.
I know this may sound a bit crazy to some of you who are experienced
gardeners, but we are just getting started. Does anyone have a
suggestion that will not damage the plant?
Please email your responses too if you don't mind - we may not be
back to the newsgroup very soon.
Thanks in advance,
Bugged.

If they really are centipedes, then you should not worry. Centipedes
are carnivorous and eat various insects and other pests.

But if they eat flesh then they could carry babies away in the night to
nibble them very slowly starting at their tiny pink toes.....

D