Friend or Foe ?

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by ricky101, Mar 22, 2019.

  1. ricky101

    ricky101 Total Gardener

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    Hi,

    Never been sure what these little beasties are, good or bad ?

    Usually find the one or two when digging something up, veg or flower, in any part of the garden, never seen anything much bigger, so assume they are adults.

    Seem similar to Centipedes, but much longer and smaller.

    Cannot say I have noticed any particular plant problem I could put down to them ..?

    IMG_1065.JPG IMG_1064.JPG
     
    ricky101, Mar 22, 2019
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  2. Jiffy

    Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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    Not sure, Wireworm? or soil Centipedes
     
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      Jiffy, Mar 22, 2019
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    • NigelJ

      NigelJ Total Gardener

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      Look like small centipedes to me, so probably won't eat your plants.
       
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        NigelJ, Mar 22, 2019
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      • Janet mahay

        Janet mahay Gardener

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        I would say they are snake /soil cetipedes
        Centipedes are not garden pests at all. They do not attack plants, feeding instead on small soil animals and slugs.
         
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          Janet mahay, Mar 22, 2019
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        • Mike Allen

          Mike Allen Total Gardener

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          Centipedes often also called wire worms.
           
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            Mike Allen, Mar 22, 2019
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          • HarryS

            HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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            Centipedes, safe to my knowledge.
            Ps . I have also been known to be wrong.
             
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              HarryS, Mar 22, 2019
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            • Redwing

              Redwing Wild Gardener

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              These are centipedes, not wireworms. They are not plant pests, unlike wireworms which eat seedlings.

              Wireworms / RHS Gardening
               
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                Redwing, Mar 23, 2019
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              • shiney

                shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                Can't see them well enough to decide whether they're centipedes or millipedes. You can usually tell from they're leg positions and whether they run away when frightened or curl up.

                Centipedes have legs that stick out and millipedes have legs that point down. Also, millipedes tend to have two pairs of legs per body segment.

                Centipedes are the ones that run away. They don't cause any harm to plants. Don't pick them up with bare hands as their front section have tiny stingers. Not bad but can be a slight nuisance.

                Millipedes can cause harm to seedlings when germinating but otherwise almost totally harmless. If found in pots where you have sown seed then just put them carefully outside. In the garden they will not be a problem.

                They're both fine in the garden.


                difference centipede and millipede - Google Search
                 
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                  shiney, Mar 23, 2019
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