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If small white animals/beetles have nested in the potting soil, it is usually necessary to combat them at an early stage. But to judge that, you should know what species they are so you can make the right decision. The plant expert explains everything worth knowing about the topic and shows control measures.
animal
Small white animals/bugs in the potting soil - what to do?
In the flower bed soil, small white animals or beetles are usually only discovered when digging up. In flower pots, they are usually more noticeable. Depending on which beetle/animal it is, they can cause immense damage to plants. Some, on the other hand, pose a lesser risk. The plant expert lists various options and describes how effective control can be achieved.
cause
Fungus gnat larvae
Fungus gnats are widespread and primarily attack various types of vegetables and mushrooms, but also numerous ornamental plants in greenhouses and outdoors. Their larvae are small, caterpillar-like animals that live in potting soil. They prefer very moist soil, which is why waterlogging should always be avoided.
Fungus Gnat, Sciaridae
introduction
The black fungus gnats buzz around the plants, but their main home is in the potting soil, where they also lay their eggs, from which small white larvae later develop. So if you suspect fungus gnat larvae, adult flying animals are usually always active in the immediate vicinity. Another possibility is the introduction of new potting soil or larvae already on the roots in new plantings, preferably on cuttings or young plants. They bite into the roots and stems and migrate into the new soil even when repotted.
damage picture
The sciarid fly larvae are carriers of fungi, pathogens and mites. But primarily they damage the roots, which in turn leads to typical and visible signs of disease on the plant.
- growth restrictions
- Buds do not open and increasingly fall off
- leaves wither
- Plant dries up and eventually dies
combat
Fighting only makes sense in the early stages, because if the roots are already too badly damaged, it is usually too late and the plant can no longer be saved. Special insecticides and effective home remedies are available to you as control measures.
insecticides
So-called yellow stickers help against fungus gnat larvae. These are put into the potting soil. Both the adult fungus gnats and their larvae stick to them because they are covered with a special adhesive layer. If the yellow sticker is full, it will be exchanged for a new one if necessary.
potting soil
home remedies
The simplest method is to clean the roots and replace the potting soil. However, this usually only proves to be an effective control measure in the case of a small infestation. To do this, dig up the plant and rinse the roots with a strong water pressure. Then drain the water and pot the plant in fresh potting soil. Tobacco helps with a larger infestation. Work this into the potting soil and water generously daily. After about seven days the mosquitoes are gone and the larvae are dead.
Fungus Gnat, Sciaridae
nematodes
Natural control takes place with nematodes, which are small roundworms. They are harmless to humans and feed, among other things, on the sciarid fly larvae. However, this method is only suitable if you have not yet discovered any adult mosquitoes and the larvae were brought in with the potting soil or the plant.
Lily beetle larvae
Lily beetles are small beetles that can be recognized by their black head, bright red upper body and elytra and their size of between six and eight millimeters. When they circle around plants, it doesn't take long for their white larvae to wreak havoc in the potting soil. They mainly attack lilies, checkered flowers and even chives. Propagation takes place two to three times a year between April and June and in September on plants that serve as a food source. Up to 350 eggs can grow into larvae per laying, which requires rapid control.
Lily beetle, Lilioceris lilii
introduction
As with the sciarid larvae, the larvae of the lily beetle can be introduced through potting soil that is usually of inferior quality, or these beetles are in the immediate vicinity and the larvae in the potting soil are the end product of their reproduction process. Many of the mother animals also choose unplanted soil. When planting, they usually limit themselves to eating plants that serve them as a source of food, such as the plant examples already mentioned.
damage picture
The damage these larvae can do is immense to most plant species. They are very voracious and change their white color to dark red on their way to the leaf food source in order to remain as undetected as possible by predators. They remain there and draw any energy out of the tissue of the leaves. They die and fall off. When all the leaves have been picked, they help themselves to the stems until the plant is completely dry and dies. Since they are only active during the day, they simply drop back into the potting soil in the evening.
Lily beetle, Lilioceris lilii
combat
In order to know that it is effective quickly, so that the damage can be kept as low as possible, we recommend combating it with insecticides such as Schädlingsfrei Parexan or Spruzit in liquid form. Alternatively, you can make a solution and treat the affected plant with it. To do this, proceed as follows.
- Dissolve 30 grams of soft soap in one liter of water
- add two teaspoons of ethanol or alternatively organic alcohol
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle
- Spray all leaves with it daily until dripping wet
- later in the evening, water/spray the potting soil with the solution
- By the third day at the latest, all the animals should have died
- collect dead animals or repot plants in fresh soil
springtails
One of the most common parasites are the so-called springtails. The white animals can be recognized by their ability to jump, which is reminiscent of fleas and is made possible by two jumping forks on their hind legs. They jump around wildly, especially when watering.
Springtails, Collembola
Happen
They are less likely to be introduced by inferior potting soil when repotting or planting. They are more attracted to potting soil that is too moist and heavily compacted and will multiply quickly if left unchecked.
damage picture
As a rule, springtails do not damage plants because they prefer dead plant parts as food. However, if these are all used up and there are no new sources of food in the vicinity, the springtails can occasionally eat the green of young plants and soft, thin root tips. Only manageable plant damage develops from this, but this still reduces the appearance through eroded leaves and fewer flowers.
Potting soil with vegetation
combat
It is usually sufficient to place the infested plant in a water-filled pot for about 30 minutes so that the surface of the soil is completely submerged. The animals then automatically reach the water surface and can be poured off. So that no new infestation follows immediately, watering should be avoided until the potting soil has dried well.
root mites
If small white animals become noticeable in the potting soil, it could also be mites, with the so-called root mites occurring most frequently. They are in the potting soil, where they are both at depth and at the surface. They are very small and usually only visible as tiny dots. Their habitat extends over roots, plant bulbs and tubers and other parts of plants that lie in the ground and serve as food, such as dead. Vegetable plants such as potatoes and carrots, but also ornamental plants such as irises or freesias are preferentially attacked.
Potato plants can be attacked by root mites
introduction
Mites of any kind often get into apartments and houses through poor potting soil. They are attracted when there is high humidity. The peak season for root mites is during the warmer months, with most of them moving to warm spaces in winter before the cold.
damage picture
The root mites usually only do more damage when they appear in masses. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon because they multiply rapidly. Sooner or later they feed on the roots, which can cause the greatest damage, which manifests itself as follows.
- decreasing plant stability
- drooping leaves and flowers
- Bud growth decreases
- Leaves turn yellow
- Parts of the plant gradually dry out
- combat
yellowing plant leaf
Unlike many other small, white animals or beetles, repotting is usually not enough here. These mites are too small to all be removed from underground parts of the plant in this way, although a root rinse can help with a light infestation.
insecticides
Especially for ornamental plants, for example, the manufacturer Dr. Stähler Kiron Miten-Ex as an insecticide that acts specifically against mites. When applied to edible plants such as herbs or vegetables, the product proves to be suitable under certain conditions. Mite preparations are called acaricides.
home remedies
A treatment with wormwood tea is particularly effective and also very environmentally friendly and harmless. This can be bought as a finished product or the tea mixture, which then only has to be brewed in hot water. The wormwood tea is used when cold and for pouring for a period of about three days. After that, the root mite problem should be gone.
Wormwood as a home remedy
Conclusion
If small white animals/bugs are discovered in the potting soil, it is most likely a species as described in this guide. With the right treatment, you can easily get rid of the unwelcome guests and you don't necessarily have to use substances that are harmful to health or the environment. However, it is important that you regularly check your plants for animals and beetles, because in most cases they multiply rapidly and can become dangerous to plants. However, since they are often difficult to recognize or are not even noticeable at first, checking them is essential.