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crawling bugs in my soil - is it safe to use?
Novice gardener here again with another insect related query. I've had the soil in my raised bed covered with cardboard over winter but today when I lifted the cardboard, I found these bugs - here is a picture - I recorded a video but don't seem to be able to upload it.
Can anyone tell me what they are and whether my soil is safe to use? Thank you.
Sara
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Very blurred but might be leather jackets, get the cardboard off and let the birds have a feast. Then dig and let the birds have another feast
In the sticks near Peterborough
Can't see them very well, but from a distance they look as if they may be cutworms - they've really enjoyed the conditions you provided them with. I don't cover soil because it prevents the birds getting rid of the bugs for you - they're not harmful to humans but they may eat some of your plants - I'd just rake the soil over and leave it for a few days - the blackbirds and robins will come and eat them and by the time the weather is suitable for planting the bugs will be gone
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Agree with Nut, could also be leatherjackets ... hard to tell ... but the treatment is the same.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Thank you for the advice. It's really helpful. I don't like leaving the beds uncovered because the cat next door thinks I've done it for her! But I'll leave it exposed and hopefully the birds will clear the bugs away for me. Thank you.