--- title: "i’m new to plants in my home and have kinda went crazy. lol. all have…" description: "i’m new to plants in my home and have kinda went crazy. lol. all have seemed to be doing amazing for months now. i bought this golden pothos about 2 months…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/ed0NNelwS3mwyQ2bD3hsPQ" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "mama ash" published: "2024-03-18T15:52:18.410959Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Nfg7hjBRv0t0sIpsTq3AFtOP6PisRXfOuin9yoHx-vw/PY9JlGkcSy277hikDBom9w.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md) # i’m new to plants in my home and have kinda went crazy. lol. all have… _Posted by mama ash on 2024-03-18_ i’m new to plants in my home and have kinda went crazy. lol. all have seemed to be doing amazing for months now. i bought this golden pothos about 2 months ago. it’s been throwing out some amazing growth. i’ve even got a propagation from this one that’s doing amazing. today was watering day and all of a sudden i noticed A TON of whatever these things are. does anyone know what these are? are they good or bad? should i repot this whole thing and throw away the soil? thank you guys for all your help! ![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Nfg7hjBRv0t0sIpsTq3AFtOP6PisRXfOuin9yoHx-vw/PY9JlGkcSy277hikDBom9w.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Nfg7hjBRv0t0sIpsTq3AFtOP6PisRXfOuin9yoHx-vw/R8Kb1iRqRFqXPwScT4mX2A.webp?size=large) ## 3 comments ### OGForestGreen commented on 2024-03-18 A species of centipede or millipedes I would guess? Not sure. Here’s what I found. centipedes can be seen as beneficial, since they are actually carnivorous and feed on various insects, such as flies and spiders. If you find them inside, prior to bringing plants into your space, this is usually a sign that there is an abundance of insects indoors. So, if you find them in your plants, this is because they were most likely attracted to the amount of organic material and moisture they provide since they thrive in dark, damp, moist environments, as well as the other insects that plants attract. Therefore, we can determine that they're not actually feeding on your plants, since they don't eat vegetation, so they are not damaging them. #### OGForestGreen replied on 2024-03-18 If u wanted to remove them. Here’s what I found. Can’t post the link u fortunately. Catch \& Release: If possible, you could always set up natural traps to catch any centipedes and release them outdoors and out of your home. Eliminating Moisture: It is important to remove any excess moisture in damp areas such as basements, under sinks, crawlspaces, or bathrooms, removing the attraction of them to these pesky crawlers. When it comes to your plants, make sure not to keep the soil constantly moist, only watering your plants when they need it. This is especially important during the darker days of the winter months when it takes soil longer to dry out between waterings. Minimize Organic Material: Since we know centipedes are attracted to organic debris as well as moisture, remove any excess material, such as dead leaves, wood chips, etc. that rests on the top of the soil. Sticky Traps: Setting up sticky glue traps (such as those for ants and roaches) next to frequented houseplants, on baseboards in rooms with plants, or on baseboards in each corner adjacent to the outdoors would catch any adult centipedes as they come out at night looking for insects in your home. Soil Wash: This is arguably the most effective method of removing centipedes from your plants at any time, but especially when you are transitioning your plants indoors. Centipedes and millipedes found in the home are not aquatic, meaning they will drown during this process unless the soap kills them first by blocking the pores through which they breathe and suffocating them. The steps to doing so are as follows: Prepare a bucket of lukewarm, soapy water (using a dish soap such as Dr. Bronner's) Immerse the entire pot (soil, nursery pot, root ball and all) into the water Let it sit submerged for 15-30 minutes, then take the pot out and let the water drain Make sure the plant is set in bright enough light after doing so in order to speed up the process of the soil drying out The plant roots will not be harmed during this process as long as you don't leave them soaking for extensive periods of time (i.e. days at a time) as that would deprive the roots of oxygen, which leads to root rot. It isn't a complicated process but it does make a little more sense to do this when it can be done outside during the warmer months before bringing your plants indoors (if you have a choice). Repotting: In a more severe infestation of centipedes, it may be advisable to actually repot your plant completely, using clean, fresh soil. Washing off the pot and placing a piece of wire screening (with very tiny holes) over the drainage hole would also be some great steps to take! Insecticides: Try to use any form of insecticide, either chemical or organic, as a last resort to control centipedes. At least one, or a combination of more than one, of the previous methods will most likely be effective. Otherwise, an example would be food-grade diatomaceous earth, which removes the outer coating from the exoskeleton, meaning the centipede cannot retain water and dies of dehydration. Going forward, after removal, keep an eye on your watering methods, making sure to not keep the soil overly moist, and get rid of any extra organic debris. If the pests are not priorly removed, they can spread over time and infest the rest of your plants. The most important step is to make sure you don’t stop until you are sure the specific pest you are trying to get rid of is gone, otherwise, all your work will be in vain. ### Kat commented on 2024-03-18 Have they affected the plant itself at all? --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_