If you wish to decorate your house with some indoor plants, it is a really good idea. This adds a personality to your house and is a great way to freshen and brighten up your surroundings. However, you also need to take care of them properly to make them look the best. If you find any signs of distress, then it is time to improve your care.
To keep them in their best form, you need to keep them free from any kind of pest and especially the white worms in the soil. But you must be thinking of how? Do not worry. We will guide you through the process.
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What are these white worms?
Those little white worms in the soil of your houseplants are not exactly worms. They are just the larvae of a fungus gnat. These are small black flies that fly around your plant or crawl around on your plant soil.
These flies and larvae feed on the organic matter of the soil and also on the roots of your white potted plants. They can also spread really fast. So, you need to deal with them as fast as you can if you do not want to face an infestation in your whole house.
Types of worms on potted plants
When we find some unexpected white worms in the soil in our potted houseplants, we need to identify them as well. Some insects are harmful to your plants, but there are some insects as well which are beneficial for your plants. There are basically three categories of worms.
- Nightcrawlers: These are beneficial for plants as they help in the aeration of the soil.
- Red Wigglers: These worms are also beneficial for farmers as they help in producing natural fertilizer.
- Fungus Gnat Larvae: These are the worms that cause damage to the plants by feeding on the roots and organic material in the soil.
So, it is advisable to check the worms before proceeding further.
How to get rid of white worms in houseplants?
When you notice that pot worms are creating any sort of nuisance in the houseplants or your garden, you need to get rid of them immediately. But the question arises as to how to get rid of these pests.
There are many ways to get rid of these pests. You can either eliminate them completely or can collect them and remove them to another place where they will not be able to cause any further harm.
Pesticides
This is a useful option if you want to eliminate the pot worm. But these have a disadvantage too. These are not really a good idea for indoor plants because the toxic chemicals can get mixed with the air that you breathe and cause health issues.
There are many organic options available. Organic options are non-toxic as well as they are quite effective. There are some more effective and organic ways that you can opt for if you want to eliminate the plant worms.
Insecticides
There are two categories of insecticides: Chemical and Organic. When you opt for chemical insecticides, make sure you read the label to check whether they are suitable for indoor use. Organic Insecticides are the best choice for indoor use on your mini white plant. You can make them on your own as well. You can use Vegetable Oil Spray, Chilli Pepper Spray, or Garlic Spray as an organic insecticide.
Neem Oil
We all have known the power of neem oil. Neem oil is a very strong form of natural insecticide which can completely destroy the white worms in the soil. This insecticide affects the biological and internal systems of the worms that feed on the plant.
Neem oil is completely harmless to human beings and is a biodegradable, non-toxic insecticide.
Repotting
You can completely change the soil in which you have kept your potted plant. This will eliminate the worms completely. This will prevent any sort of further infestations.
Before replacing the soil, do not forget to sterilize the soil with bleach water to ensure that there are no worms or eggs stuck in the plant’s base.
Natural predators
Have you ever thought that natural predators can help you to get rid of white worms in the soil to some extent? Yes, they can help keep your garden clean and healthy. Frogs, fireflies, birds, praying mantis, etc are some plant-friendly predators that you can introduce to your houseplants.
But remember one thing – Do not use any chemicals or pesticides in your garden or houseplants at that time.
Prevention of white worm infestations
Indeed, prevention is always better than cure. Thus it would be a better idea if we try to prevent the White Worms from reaching your plants. Numerous preventive measures help us to prevent these pests from infesting the houseplants.
- Provide the plants an optimal growing condition so that they do not become stressed and more vulnerable to pests.
- Remove the dead leaves from the pot. In the soil, white worms see these leaves as an excellent source of food because they are organic wastes. Make sure to remove the decayed leaves or any other plant parts from the pot.
- Never overwater the plants as it makes the soil a perfect environment for the spider eggs in plant soil to hatch. There will be no requirement for them to search for moisture elsewhere. Also, proper watering prevents the decaying of leaves which do not become a food source for the worms.
Are pot worms good for houseplants?
A question must be running in your mind. Are worms bad for your plants? Or can you put worms in potted plants? Let us clear this out.
One or two small white worms can actually prove to be beneficial for your plants. If the soil was lacking in aeration then these worms would help you to loosen up the soil. Worm casting can also reduce the acid-forming carbon in the potting soil.
Conclusion
Although we know that some worms are beneficial for the potted plants, it is better not to take any risk, or else you may end up killing your plant. Always try to prevent these soil white worms from reaching your plants. But once they reach, the best idea is to eliminate them completely.
