Worms in Pots

[BeyondTheGarden]

I know Ponytails aren't technically palms, but I figured this was the most relevant section for this question.  My mom has a decent sized Ponytail and today she watered it, and these worms came out of the bottom of the pot.  She would like to get rid of them so she's not having to kill and clean up worms every time she waters. Note this is the first time this has happened. 

Is there a way to remove them without bare-rooting and re-soiling?  Google said to use insecticidal soap but it seems like, to kill worms, you'd have to use enough to also kill plants. 

Thanks. 

 

Edited November 27, 2022 by Jesse PNW

[PalmsandLiszt]

Worms are beneficial and will aerate the soil and convert decaying matter into plant food; they won't damage the plant. I find worms in my potted plants from time to time. if they come out the bottom they usually find their way back if the pot is in a saucer. If I find an itinerant one (which is very rare) I just put it in another plant pot.
There is no sense in eradicating organisms that will help your plants.

Edited November 28, 2022 by PalmsandLiszt

[PlantDad]

Yes worms do help aerate the soil and give nutrient rich worm castings but in a pot they can aerate the soil too much and create problems such as air pockets which plant roots struggle to grow through.

[JohnAndSancho]

I'm not a wormologist and most of my posts are sarcastic and trying to be funny, so 

 

Anyway what I'd do is print out the FAFO meme and tape some fish hooks to it and see if the worms get the message. I anticipate 0% problem resolution but Moms would get some likes on social media.