If maggots are found when loosening the potting soil, they are usually the grubs of the May beetle, the June beetle or the rose chafer. All of these beetles have become rare, so they should be carefully removed from the potting soil.
Maggots in the potting soil are mostly grubs
The various grubs
In the potting soil, grubs of various animals can settle, e.g. B.
- cockchafer
- June beetle
- rose chafer
- rhino beetle
- garden beetle
While the larvae of the rose beetle and rhinoceros beetle feed on dead plant parts (hence beneficial insects), the grubs of May beetles and June beetles feed on living plants and are therefore considered pests. However, since both beetles are partially threatened with extinction, no chemical agents should be used to combat them. The chemistry usually also kills other animals that are useful in the garden.
collect grubs
If the soil is loosened well and deep, the larvae come up and can be collected. Heavy watering or a heavy downpour also brings the grubs to light for collection.
Attract natural predators
The thick white maggots or grubs are treats for birds, hedgehogs, mice, etc. So provide ideal conditions for birds and hedgehogs, leave the mousetrap in the drawer for a while.
cultivate deterrent plants
Various plants act as a natural barrier for the grubs.
- Place garlic between other plants, the smell and taste will deter them
- Larkspur, although its roots are eaten, are deadly for the grub
- Geranium, roots are also eaten, but are also poisonous
nematodes
Nematodes, very small roundworms, are applied with the irrigation water. They penetrate the maggots and eat them up.
grubs in the flowerpot
Here it helps to completely submerge the pot in the water. After an hour at the latest, the grubs come out and can be collected.
If you want, you can repot the plant completely. However, the soil must be removed from the plant as far as possible. To be sure that there are no pests in the new soil, it can be sterilized at 100 degrees in the oven or microwave.