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Milipede infestation - what can I do

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Post  EpicusMaximus Tue Feb 05, 2013 4:57 pm

I have a ficus benjamina in a 10 gallon nursery pot since September. I am keeping the plant indoors. Growth is strong and the tree looks healthy. I was planning on re-potting in the spring and doing root removal.

However, the soil is currently infested with millipedes. At first I thought there were only a few, but after a good watering the other day, I noticed perhaps 20-25 millipedes on the surface crawling around. Unfortunately, my weak insect spray did not kill them. They disappear back into the soil when it dries up.

My problem is I don't have an area where I can re-pot now, and there's no way in hell I am bare rooting this tree indoors considering the number of bugs I may find!

So what do I do until spring? Should I over water the plant and remove the bugs when they come to the surface to limit their numbers, or is there a stronger product I could use to kill them deep in the soil?

Please help ASAP!

Thanks

Crying or Very sad

EpicusMaximus
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Post  EpicusMaximus Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:04 pm

Oh, and I know they probably aren't dangerous for the tree itself, but I hate critters. I almost lost it when I turned on the light the other night.

I'm reading elsewhere that I could submerge the roots for a few hours perhaps and drown them?


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Post  Billy M. Rhodes Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:29 pm

These bugs are frequently a sign that the soil is too wet. If the soil dries out the bugs will cease to be a problem. I would get a big plastic bag and totally bag the pot, do not water until you see the tree begin to wilt, this may be weeks, this should cure the bug problem.
Billy M. Rhodes
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Post  EpicusMaximus Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:00 pm

I had actually not watered a lot for a while, hoping that the plant drying out would help, and for probably 2-3 weeks I didn't water at all. Then I could see some leaves going a little limp so I over watered for the first time in a while and that's when the bugs reappeared.

When you say wrap the whole pot in a bag, do you mean I fasten the top of the bag around the base of the trunk?

Also, when you say "wilt" what exactly am I looking for? A very weak "saggy" leaf? Or do I actually wait for some leaves to drop?

Thanks

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Post  John Lee Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:18 pm

Go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy some of this: http://www.bayeradvanced.com/rose-flower-care/products/disease-control-for-roses-flowers-shrubs, mix it up as directed in your watering can, and water your tree. The critters will be dead in a couple of hours. I have used this for a while (have trouble with ants) and it works, everytime.

Hope it Helps,

John
John Lee
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Post  bumblebee Mon Mar 18, 2013 1:30 am

At my house we have these giant millipedes as fat as my fingers and about 4+ inches long. They are out in the yard, though.
I don't know what I would do if they invaded my indoors!

Libby

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