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larvae in finished compost

Posted by ikea_gw 7 (My Page) on
Sat, Nov 20, 10 at 13:15

I harvested the compost I made with last year's leaves and lawn trimming. It looks great except that there are tiny larvae of some sort everywhere. They are between 1/4 to 1/3 of an inch long, skinny, whitish in color, all curled up. Don't look like soldier fly larvae to me. Can anyone tell me what this might be? I use my compost in my vegetable beds. Is this compost safe to use? Thanks!


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RE: larvae in finished compost

  • Posted by jean001 z8aPortland, OR (My Page) on
    Sat, Nov 20, 10 at 13:53

Whatever they are, they live in dead stuff. Won't bother living plants.

One possible ID: young millipedes. That said, a picture would help.


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RE: larvae in finished compost

Wow jean001, you are so right! I think they are young millipedes. So are they okay to include in the vegetable beds?


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RE: larvae in finished compost

  • Posted by jean001 z8aPortland, OR (My Page) on
    Sat, Nov 20, 10 at 17:51

As was said, yes.


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RE: larvae in finished compost

Might possibly be the larva of millipedes but if they form a "C" shape most likely are the larva of one of the scarab beetles.

Here is a link that might be useful: Millipedes


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