millipede infestation/plague - 08/01/14 07:27 AM
After much planning and saving we finally made our dream come true... we excavated a specially designed 1/2 acre lined pond ...the pond is staying clean and clear going relatively well so far. About 20 feet from the pond we also built a 3-season room in a hillside with sand beach front, all for pond viewing and enjoyment. The pond and pond room is adjacent to fields and heavily wooded terrain and the pond is surrounded by wildflowers, which I planted. So now we begin our second year and find ourselves with a millipede infestation. They cover the sand on the beach and are in the sod, rocks, landscape, siding and interior of the pond room.
As you probably know, millipedes are not insects but nocturnal crustaceans that live in the soil and are attracted to moist areas. They and their eggs are relatively long-lived and hard to deal with. They do relatively little harm, they considered nuisance/pests...They are making enjoying pond life completely unappetizing. I could cry.
We can't be the only ones whose pond attracted these creatures and who then infested a nearby building.
So how to eliminate/control near the pond? We have never put one chemical or additive into the pond. We have tried Dimataceous Earth which is natural and food safe, but becomes ineffective when it gets wet. With the DE haven't noticed any reduction in their activity and populations. At this point we are open to trying chemical approach, but are naturally concerned about leeching into the pond.
So any ideas on what to do?
Thanks in advance.
As you probably know, millipedes are not insects but nocturnal crustaceans that live in the soil and are attracted to moist areas. They and their eggs are relatively long-lived and hard to deal with. They do relatively little harm, they considered nuisance/pests...They are making enjoying pond life completely unappetizing. I could cry.
We can't be the only ones whose pond attracted these creatures and who then infested a nearby building.
So how to eliminate/control near the pond? We have never put one chemical or additive into the pond. We have tried Dimataceous Earth which is natural and food safe, but becomes ineffective when it gets wet. With the DE haven't noticed any reduction in their activity and populations. At this point we are open to trying chemical approach, but are naturally concerned about leeching into the pond.
So any ideas on what to do?
Thanks in advance.