Hello everyone, I’ve got a question about what I think is called greenhouse millipedes. My philodendron mican has some in the soil and I’ve been researching online and getting mixed reviews on if they are harmful to my plant or not. I just repotted her about two weeks ago and don’t want to stress her out if they are beneficials. Any advice would be appreciated!
Greenhouse millipedes in your Philodendron micans are generally not harmful to healthy, established plants; they are detritivores that eat decaying organic matter in the soil. They are considered beneficial for breaking down soil nutrients, but can become a nuisance if they multiply excessively. Since you just repotted two weeks ago, avoid a second repotting or drenching with harsh chemicals immediately, as this will cause significant stress. They thrive in constant moisture. Let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out between waterings to make the environment less hospitable. If they become a nuisance, you can use a diluted Hydrogen Peroxide (mix 3% Hydrogen Peroxide to 4 parts water) to kill larvae without harming the plant, though it's likely unnecessary. They are more of a "nuisance pest" (because of their large numbers) than a damaging one.
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Ahhhh this is good to know!!
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