When watering, you usually discover that small white animals are moving on the potting soil. This is a pest infestation that must be combated. This is the only way to prevent spreading to other flower pots.
Repotting often helps with pest infestation
Which pests could it be?
Various pests like to lay their eggs in potting soil so that the later larvae can grow under good conditions, e.g. B.
- Fungus gnat larvae feeding on plant roots
- Springtails that can jump like fleas
- white larvae of the lily beetle
- Root mites as root pests
If white animals are sighted, it can actually only be one of the pest species mentioned. For the benefit of houseplants, the pests should definitely be fought. However, one can first try to drive the animals away with biological means. The remedies are effective, but usually require a longer period of action.
Various control agents against white animals in the potting soil
Even our grandfathers swore by the effectiveness of nettle juice. To do this, stinging nettles (about 1 kg) are boiled in 10 liters of water and left to stand covered. If bubbles form in the brew, it can be sprayed on. Since the nettle decoction doesn't smell very nice, the work is best done outside. Spraying should be repeated on several days.
An inexpensive remedy against the white larvae in the potting soil is baking soda, a simple remedy that is available in almost every household. You sprinkle the powder on the potting soil and pour in a little water. The powder seeps into the ground and is eaten by the larvae, which then die. The treatment with baking soda should be repeated more often to achieve a lasting result.
The repot
If the infestation of pests is massive, the only solution is to repot the plant. Proceed as follows:
- Take the plant out of the pot and remove as much soil as possible from the root ball.
- Wash the root under running water.
- Put the infested soil in a separate bag, seal it and dispose of it in the residual waste.
- Clean the flower pot with strong lye and possibly alcohol.
- Prepare the pot again with a drainage.
- Fill in high-quality potting soil and plant the flower again.