Information and discussion regarding garden diseases, insects and other unwelcome critters.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Merced, CA
Posts: 832
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I'm getting my raised beds ready for the spring tomato plant-out in a few weeks and I decided to replace the silver mulch that has been in place for a couple of years. When I removed the old plastic mulch I was sort of shocked
![]() ![]() ![]() They don't bother me as long as I can't see them ![]() Note: Just worked on 2 of the raised beds today. Only one of the beds had any roaches. Anne Last edited by aclum; March 25, 2021 at 05:46 PM. Reason: Added note |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 7,068
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I think they are a type of outdoor very small roach from Southeast Asia. They showed up here in the south about 15 years ago. They don't seem to bother anything growing in my garden and they are not as plentiful as they were 5 years ago so something must like eating them. They love light mulch like leaves and loose straw. They can't survive inside the homes down here; maybe because of the air conditioning. Due to all the hurricanes I no longer have a lot of leaves since most of my large trees are now gone but I see them especially when watering by hand with the hose they will sometimes scurry around. I now use exclusively plain cypress mulch and they don't seem to like it much.
Bill |
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Merced, CA
Posts: 832
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Hi Bill,
That's interesting - thanks for the info! I don't use any loose mulch, so I've rarely seen them around. From what you say, I guess they don't harm the plants - and I've never seen them in the house - so I won't worry about them. I've been thinking about you what with all the bad weather out your way. Hope that you're staying safe and doing OK!! Anne |
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 5,931
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Hi,are you sure they are cockroaches?
Ko |
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Merced, CA
Posts: 832
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Hi Karen,
No - I'm not sure at all ![]() ![]() ![]() Anne |
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#6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 5,931
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I wonder if they are woodlouse aka pill bugs or sow bugs which are isopod crustaceans and not insects at all that would just love to congregate in the shade under your mulch.
They might have that roachy look as they scramble away at first glance KarenO |
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Merced, CA
Posts: 832
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Definitely not a sow bug or pill bug (although we do a few of those). Did a little web searching
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7467.html Most of the other roaches shown seem too big or the wrong shape or color. Have been out working on the raised beds this morning and not one to be seen.... so I guess its identity may just remain a mystery. Anne |
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