Ask Me Help Desk - Indoor Herb Garden

I have an indoor herb garden and the other day I noticed a small centipede type insect, gold in the dirt of one of my plants.

How do bugs get into indoor plants? Is it possible it came in the dirt? What kind of product, insecticide, is safe to spray indoors? Any help?

Most likely an egg came in with some fresh soil or fertilizer. You can mix in any of the garden insecticides that come in granule form with the soil to get his brothers and sisters. The dust formulae are a little strong for herbs that are picked and eaten.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catsmine

Most likely an egg came in with some fresh soil or fertilizer. You can mix in any of the garden insecticides that come in granule form with the soil to get his brothers and sisters. The dust formulae are a little strong for herbs that are picked and eaten.

Thank you for the quick reply and suggestion.

Be sure to check the insecticide's label for a match with your herb garden. It might not be wise to use any insecticide in a herb garden that is ready to harvest. Centipedes don't eat plants. If you can't identify what you saw, check for evidence, chewing or poop, of damage to your herbs. Depending on the size of your herb garden, it might not be worth exposing yourself to insecticides over the one critter that you saw. You might have to share or throw out the infested plants and start over.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnahcd

Be sure to check the insecticide's label for a match with your herb garden. It might not be wise to use any insecticide in a herb garden that is ready to harvest. Centipedes don't eat plants. If you can't identify what you saw, check for evidence, chewing or poop, of damage to your herbs. Depending on the size of your herb garden, it might not be worth exposing yourself to insecticides over the one critter that you saw. You might have to share or throw out the infested plants and start over.

Thank you for your reply.

These particular herbs will be ready for harvest in about 2 or 3 months. I checked the leaves for damage, poop, larvae, but found nothing. The plants are actually quite healthy and thriving.

I looked at some pictures on the internet and did some research and it is my belief this insect is known as a “soil centipede.” It did say that these centipedes like moist areas and they will eat the roots, and "sometimes" they feed on the plant itself. I only saw the one centipede, but as the above poster writes, what about his brothers and sisters? I recently purchased a few new bags of soil and apparently that is how I brought them in. However, I was under the impression the soil had been sterilized.

I am reluctant to transplant as I am a rookie indoor gardener, and afraid to shock the plants by transplanting. Would it be necessary for me to purchase new soil, maybe from a different supplier, and start over with new herbs and everything? I can't share these particular herbs, so if I had to start over this would be a complete loss. I am however willing to take that chance.

Again thank you all for taking the time to reply.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh_donna39

Thank you for your reply.

These particular herbs will be ready for harvest in about 2 or 3 months. I checked the leaves for damage, poop, larvae, but found nothing. The plants are actually quite healthy and thriving.

I looked at some pictures on the internet and did some research and it is my belief this insect is known as a “soil centipede.” It did say that these centipedes like moist areas and they will eat the roots, and "sometimes" they feed on the plant itself. I only saw the one centipede, but as the above poster writes, what about his brothers and sisters? I recently purchased a few new bags of soil and apparently that is how I brought them in. However, I was under the impression the soil had been sterilized.

I am reluctant to transplant as I am a rookie indoor gardener, and afraid to shock the plants by transplanting. Would it be necessary for me to purchase new soil, maybe from a different supplier, and start over with new herbs and everything? I can't share these particular herbs, so if I had to start over this would be a complete loss. I am however willing to take that chance.

Again thank you all for taking the time to reply.

You're getting away from my area of expertise, so I am going to forward your question to the Gardening and Plants forum.

Hi! oh_donna39, welcome to AMHD :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh_donna39

Thank you for your reply.

These particular herbs will be ready for harvest in about 2 or 3 months. I checked the leaves for damage, poop, larvae, but found nothing. The plants are actually quite healthy and thriving.

I looked at some pictures on the internet and did some research and it is my belief this insect is known as a “soil centipede.” It did say that these centipedes like moist areas and they will eat the roots, and "sometimes" they feed on the plant itself. I only saw the one centipede, but as the above poster writes, what about his brothers and sisters? I recently purchased a few new bags of soil and apparently that is how I brought them in. However, I was under the impression the soil had been sterilized.

I am reluctant to transplant as I am a rookie indoor gardener, and afraid to shock the plants by transplanting. Would it be necessary for me to purchase new soil, maybe from a different supplier, and start over with new herbs and everything? I can't share these particular herbs, so if I had to start over this would be a complete loss. I am however willing to take that chance.

Again thank you all for taking the time to reply.

Thanks to both gnahcd, and Catsmine for the help, and Catsmine for the move. I'll see if I can help also.

donna, Can you send a pix so we can be sure?

In the meantime...
This is what a soil centipede looks like

http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Myriapods/DSCF0003b.jpg

Sometimes they get confused with wireworms or millipedes

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/IPM/imag...?rand=11239267

Now, 'bout your concerns...

The Herbs:
Can you isolate your garden. Say, put them in a garage or a large box?
Don't use any pesticide's, I'd sit tight for a while, and see what happens.

The Soil:
You can sterilize the soil yourself, if, your willing to use your oven.
For a 13x9x2" cake pan; bake at 400°F - 204°C for at least an hour or until the soil reaches 180°F - 82°C.

Or

Take the Soil back to where you bought it, and explain your doubts 'bout its not being sterile.

The Pest:
As a rookie indoor gardener, (your term). You have weathered what all gardener's have experienced at one time or another, if you could only see at the bacterial or microbial level you would probably swear off eating anything, and I won't even get into how hotdogs are made.

All of these actors work in conjunction to further life, here on this big blue marble we call Earth.

So... Relax, ;) you done a great job so far in bringing your herbs this far. Try to continue to keep them happy, give them more time, but do watch for anymore pests, you can use a probe, such as a thin screwdriver to disturb the soil somewhat to inspect for more "critters".

I'll check back later, for now I've got to go and check on the "blizzard" we're havin' here in Central Pa.

Just Dahlia wanted some pix's, and I got to get them in somewhere, maybe the member's album. :rolleyes:

k

Quote:

Originally Posted by KUXJ

Hi! oh_donna39, welcome to AMHD :)

Thanks to both gnahcd, and Catsmine for the help, and Catsmine for the move. I'll see if I can help also.

donna, Can you send a pix so we can be sure?

In the meantime...
This is what a soil centipede looks like

http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/Myriapods/DSCF0003b.jpg

Sometimes they get confused with wireworms or millipedes

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/IPM/imag...?rand=11239267

Now, 'bout your concerns........

The Herbs:
Can you isolate your garden. Say, put them in a garage or a large box?
Don't use any pesticide's, I'd sit tight for a while, and see what happens.

The Soil:
You can sterilize the soil yourself, if, your willing to use your oven.
For a 13x9x2" cake pan; bake at 400°F - 204°C for at least an hour or until the soil reaches 180°F - 82°C.

Or

Take the Soil back to where you bought it, and explain your doubts 'bout its not being sterile.

The Pest:
As a rookie indoor gardener, (your term). You have weathered what all gardener's have experienced at one time or another, if you could only see at the bacterial or microbial level you would probably swear off eating anything, and I won't even get into how hotdogs are made.

All of these actors work in conjunction to further life, here on this big blue marble we call Earth.

So.......Relax, ;) you done a great job so far in bringing your herbs this far. Try to continue to keep them happy, give them more time, but do watch for anymore pests, you can use a probe, such as a thin screwdriver to disturb the soil somewhat to inspect for more "critters".

I'll check back later, for now I've got to go and check on the "blizzard" we're havin' here in Central Pa.

Just Dahlia wanted some pix's, and I got to get them in somewhere, maybe the member's album. :rolleyes:

k

Thank you all for the move and the replies and for welcoming me to AMHD!

I live in lower Michigan. Feeling the effects of the same blizzard as Central PA. Sun is shining today though!

To answer your questions.

The Herbs:
I wish I could use the garage but it is detached and unheated. I like the idea of a big box. The area is only about 4’x 4’ so that really could work. I wanted to keep this as organic as possible and did not want to use any pesticides, fungicides, etc….. unless it was absolutely necessary. I will most certainly heed your advice and refrain from using anything at this time.

The Soil:
Before starting I did some research on soil. Finding soil this time of year was really the problem. I live in a rural area with several landscape companies within a 15 mile radius, but no soil. The online research said that “Expert” was not only a good brand it was pre-sterilized and Wal-Mart normally carried it in stock year round. I had to go to a couple different Wal-Mart but I finally found some. These first couple of months have been wonderful and I have had absolutely no problems. But as the plants grew I increased the size of the containers and of course had to add more soil. I went back to Wal-Mart and loaded up. I brought in the new soil and that is when I noticed the problem.

With your kind assistance what I have learned is no matter the soil, bake it first always! It would be worth the effort, the smell, and the time to clean the oven afterwards. When starting from scratch I will do this from now on.

The Pest:
The first insect you have shown is it exactly except for size. The one I saw was still a baby but large enough for me to see. He was quick too. I knew by the way he scurried across the top of the soil that it was a centipede. I just didn’t know how he got inside. I guess I just didn’t want to believe that I brought it in with the soil. The thought kind of grosses me out.

Yes, I am an admitted rookie indoor gardener, with a HUGE green thumb. It’s nearly impossible for me to kill something, but you have to admit a weakness, and herbs I will admit, are my weakness. I can’t stand bugs, and germs and anything of the like….. but oddly enough I do like hotdogs. :)

It wasn’t easy on my stomach but I just went and disturbed the soil with a long thin screwdriver. It looked good, a little dry, but good. I saw no bugs, thank goodness, not even the original little bugger. So that’s good.

I will go back to the site and see if I can find similar pictures to post, but the first picture you posted here is it exactly.

Thanks for your encouragement. You have all been so very helpful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh_donna39

Thank you all for the move and the replies and for welcoming me to AMHD!

I live in lower Michigan. Feeling the effects of the same blizzard as Central PA. Sun is shining today though!

Your welcome, same here. In two storms (Feb. 05-06; 09-10) we picked up 36.8". Our seasonal average is 35.5. See post #414 here for pix: askmehelpdesk/gardening-plants/upside-down-tomatoes

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh_donna39

To answer your questions.

The Herbs:
I wish I could use the garage but it is detached and unheated. I like the idea of a big box. The area is only about 4’x 4’ so that really could work. I wanted to keep this as organic as possible and did not want to use any pesticides, fungicides, etc….. unless it was absolutely necessary. I will most certainly heed your advice and refrain from using anything at this time.

Check with your local grocer (Even Wally's world). Usually they will have large cardboard boxes, If they are too deep take a razor knife, and trim it down. Banana or orange boxes may work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh_donna39

The Soil:
Before starting I did some research on soil. Finding soil this time of year was really the problem. I live in a rural area with several landscape companies within a 15 mile radius, but no soil. The online research said that “Expert” was not only a good brand it was pre-sterilized and Wal-Mart normally carried it in stock year round. I had to go to a couple different Wal-Mart but I finally found some. These first couple of months have been wonderful and I have had absolutely no problems. But as the plants grew I increased the size of the containers and of course had to add more soil. I went back to Wal-Mart and loaded up. I brought in the new soil and that is when I noticed the problem.

With your kind assistance what I have learned is no matter the soil, bake it first always! It would be worth the effort, the smell, and the time to clean the oven afterwards. When starting from scratch I will do this from now on.

Maybe its me, but I usually don't notice any odor.

I wanted to be sure 'bout that procedure this site gives several variations for sterilization:
colostate.edu/Start Seed and Transplants in Sterilized Soil

My recipe works for me, but this site nails it down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by oh_donna39

The Pest:
The first insect you have shown is it exactly except for size. The one I saw was still a baby but large enough for me to see. He was quick too. I knew by the way he scurried across the top of the soil that it was a centipede. I just didn’t know how he got inside. I guess I just didn’t want to believe that I brought it in with the soil. The thought kind of grosses me out.

You could still try to return the remaining soil if you think it is warranted, but I would give Wally's supplier the benefit of doubt.

House insects like spiders, ants, and centipedes have a kind of species bias where they tend to stay to themselves, and are territorial.
In times of unusual weather conditions insects can be flushed out of their slightly moist, cool, and dark environments, and present themselves, even in the most immaculate homes.

Herbs grown outdoors that have access to ample air circulation, sunlight, and water drainage are seldom affected with either disease or damage by insects.

The usual suspects that attack herbs -- mites and aphids -- are held in check by natural predators and parasites. This is especially true if you're growing a wide variety of different herbs.