When it come to millipede and their preference for plant , it ’s important to notice that these animal mainly domicile in land and damp areas . They tend to remain secret for the most part , but when their populations increase , they may embark on feed on subsist plants as well . This can become a concern for gardeners , specially when millipedes aim newly sprouted seedlings and terra firma - squeeze fruit like strawberry .
In my experience as a gardening and landscaping expert , I ’ve come across situations where millipedes have caused damage to certain works . While they do n’t have a specific chemical attraction for any particular eccentric of flora , they are often attracted to bid , young shoot and fruit that are close to the ground . This is because these plant are more accessible to millipedes , which have a miserable profile and tend to stick to ground and lowly levels of flora .
Millipedes can be particularly problematical for newly sprouted seedlings , as their delicate nature draw them an easy fair game . I ’ve seen caseful where young vegetable seedling like lettuce , Spinacia oleracea , and Brassica oleracea have been affected by milliped alimentation . These pest can also cause price to ground - hugging fruit such as strawberries , which are susceptible to their alimentation activeness .
It ’s worth note that millipede are primarily detritivores , mean they feed in on crumble organic matter . However , when their number increase or when their usual food sources are scarce , they may reverse to hold up plant as an alternate food germ . This demeanour is more commonly observed in crowded or disturbed orbit where competitor for food for thought and space is high .
To mitigate the impact of millipede on your plants , there are several strategies you could engage . Here are some passport :
1 . Maintain just garden hygienics : Regularly bump off fallen leaves , plant life dust , and any decaying constituent matter from your garden . This will reduce the potential food sources for millipedes and discourage their comportment .
2 . Use physical barriers : If you have specific plants that are particularly vulnerable to millipede equipment casualty , consider using physical barriers like netting or row cover to protect them . This can create a barrier between the millipede and your industrial plant , preventing direct feeding .
3 . offer right drainage : Millipedes thrive in damp conditions , so guarantee good soil drainage can help deter their presence . Avoid overwatering your plant and ensure right drainage in your garden beds .
4 . employ organic pest control method acting : If millepede become a unyielding trouble , you’re able to explore organic plague ascendence method acting . These can include using diatomaceous earth , which act as as a mechanical barrier and desiccate millipedes , or apply constitutive insecticides that specifically target millipedes .
5 . Encourage natural predator : Millipedes have natural predators like centipedes , earth beetles , and birds . Creating a garden that attracts these piranha , such as providing suitable habitats and food sources , can help keep milliped population in halt .
By understand millipede ’ feed behavior and implementing these strategy , you may belittle the impact of these creatures on your plants . It ’s authoritative to strike a balance in managing millipedes , as they do play a office in breaking down organic topic and contributing to soil wellness .
Caroline Bates
