Small crawling animals in the potting soil

Which animals can harm the plants cultivated in potting soil?

In addition to fungi, bacteria and other germs, various insects can be responsible for the poor growth or even death of potted plants. In most cases it is Sciarid fly larvae, Springtails, lilies or root mites.

Sciarid fly larvae

These pests are already infected with the Potting soil introduced. The larvae develop unnoticed in the earth.
Only when the adult animals are buzzing around the plant in their hundreds do you become aware of the pest infestation. Even the infected plant soon shows an unmistakable pattern of damage. Since the larvae gnaw at the roots of the young plants, the leaves grow stunted and wither. If no countermeasures are taken, the plant will die.
Sciarid fly larvae can be controlled biologically with nematodes, for example. The beneficial insects (small roundworms) do their job very well with a light infestation.

A simple home remedy is to put matches head first into the potting soil. The sulfur is poisonous for the larvae.

Springtails

They are natural soil dwellers that decompose organic matter. They become annoying when they appear in large numbers and damage the roots of the plants due to a lack of food. Springtails can be effectively controlled by dipping the affected plant. After about half an hour, the animals swim to the surface and can be removed. The plant is not watered until the substrate has dried. After that, water should be used sparingly.

Root mites

Root mites live in moist soil and damage the plant roots here. The best way to get rid of the animals is to repot the plant.

Lily chicken larvae

These are small red beetles whose larvae live in the potting soil. They eat the leaves and stems of the plant until it dies. Instead of using an insecticide, treat the plant with a soft soap solution.

1. Loosen 30 g Soft soap(€ 38.05 at Amazon *) in 1 liter of water.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of ethanol or organic spirit.
3. Fill the solution into a spray bottle.
4. Spray the plant daily for a long period of time.
5. The pests should have died after just three days. Collect the dead animals.