Extension
Connection
Extension
Connection
Insects
By Heather Benedict, Agronomist Specialist
This is Heather Benedict, Regional Agronomy Specialist. I am based out of Bethany Mo. I serve Worth, Gentry, Harrison, Mercer, Grundy, Daviess, Caldwell and Livingston Counties. I will be bringing you today’s program.
One of the results of the wet spring this year is to bring outdoor insects inside. There have been many reports and identification requests for small worm like insects. These insects fall into two categories: insects that stay in the worm stage, and insect larvae that will eventually change form. If you have worm-like insects with many legs, you have either centipedes or millipedes. Worm-like insects that are covered with hairs, but only have six true legs are insect larvae. These will eventually change into beetles or moths.
Generally, these insects live outdoors. They live in the organic matter on the soil. These types of insects are an important part of breaking down dead plant and animal material. When walking outside, these insects are commonly found under logs, branches or rocks. However, the wet weather has affected their habitat, driving them inside where they become a nuisance for humans.
Centipedes and millipedes are generally to be found on the ground floor of homes where the earth, mulch, or rotting wood is in contact with the foundation of a house. Beetle larvae may be found anywhere in a house. When flies are present in great quantities in a house, eventually the flies will die. Usually the files may die inside walls or in attics or crawlspaces where they are not seen and may not be removed. The larder beetle will lay her eggs around the dead flies so that when the larvae hatch, they have a good source of food. Home owners may find that there are great quantities of such larvae in their homes as each female beetle can lay more than 1000 eggs.
If you are having problems with these insects, the first step is to identify them. Centipedes and millipedes can be killed or discouraged using a powdered insecticide, while the best remedy for larder beetle larvae is to keep sweeping them up as it is often very difficult to find and remove their food source.
More information and the research on the practices I have discussed as well as on many more subjects can be found in your local extension office. So if you would like further information on this or any other topic contact your local University of Missouri Extension office. University of Missouri and Extension programs are open to all. Thank you for your time.
(Written June 22, 2009)
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Extension Connection Barb Ubben, Web Manager harrisonco@missouri.edu Last revised: 05/25/04 |