Cylindroiulus, millipedes are eating my pea sprouts. HELP! - Ask Extension
Cylindroiulus, millipedes are eating my pea sprouts. HELP!
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Cylindroiulus, millipedes are eating my pea sprouts. HELP! #748911
Asked May 09, 2021, 4:05 PM EDT
Cylindroiulus, millipedes are eating my pea sprouts. HELP!
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Molly!
Good to hear from you. Millipedes typically feed on decaying plant matter, but are reported to feed on tender young plants, especially in cool moist conditions. Use and IPM strategy to control:
- Water as deeply and infrequently as possible so that the top layer of soil can dry out some between waterings. Dry soil is not hospitable to millipedes.
- Trellis up plants as soon as they are large enought for it, so as to get plant material up off the ground.
- Set traps to collect them, such as rolled newpapers or fruit rinds. Put the traps a distance away from the peas to act as a diversion. Discard and replace with fresh traps as needed.
- The CSU fact sheet suggests using garden baits containing Carbaryl (Sevin).
References
- CSU https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/insect/05552.pdf
- U of WI https://ipcm.wisc.edu/blog/2020/04/millipedes-are-not-considered-a-crop-pest/
- U of CA http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7472.html
Hope you are well, and that your peas are well soon!
Mari
