Killing Soil-Dwelling Centipedes in Houseplants with Rubbing Alcohol

Centipede‑like larvae in the soil of your 5‑foot palm are the immature stage of an insect laying eggs in the mix. They hatch after watering.

Pour 2–3 bottles of 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol through the soil, spreading it evenly.
Repeat every 3 days for a total of 3 applications.

Alcohol kills larvae and adults on contact and evaporates quickly. Three rounds catch newly hatched larvae.

House Plants: Saving a Repotted Palm Tree from Soil Pests; Reviving a 20-Year-Old Potted Lemon Tree with Leaf Drop; Tiny Black Flies in Houseplant Soil: Fungus Gnats from Overwatering; Tiny Soil Insects: Shore Flies and Fungus Gnats; Soil Insects on Clivia: Alcohol Drench Treatment; Fungus Gnats from Poor Soil: Add Perlite for Drainage, Dry Soil Between Waterings, Kill Larvae with Alcohol Watering; Insects in Mass Cane (Dracaena) Soil: Repot and Sanitize; Fungus Gnats on Mass Cane: Overwatering Is the Cause, Drying Is the Cure; Grocery Store Plant Infestation: Soil Gnats and White Worms Spread to Collection; Jade Plant Collapse After Overpotting: Fungus Gnats and Root Rot

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