Larvae Living in Soil??

by Maleka
(Silver Spring, Maryland)

Larvae

I have a Garden Croton plant. I put it in the rain one day during the summer for a few hours. When I lifted up the pot I noticed there was larvae in the plastic plant saucer. The plant looks healthy but does this mean there are bugs in the soil?

Comments for Larvae Living in Soil??

Click here to add your own comments

Jul 31, 2020

One Reason
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

This is the best reason in the world to invest in some 'pot feet' (also called 'pot toes' and 'pot risers'). These hold the pot up off the ground, preventing bugs like this, or earthworms or other creepie crawlies from burrowing in to the drain holes in your plant pots.

In this case, I think you may be okay. If you're really worried about it, repot the plant, taking off all the soil, washing out the pot, and using fresh soil when you repot it. That will take care of the problem for sure.

Bosmere Pot Toes, Terra-cotta (Pack of 12)