Question
I just purchased a very large palm plant and I am in the process of repotting it.  I noticed some small worms inside the soil.  I read that cayenne pepper is a good solution for this problem.  Is it alright to sprinkle it in the soil while I am repotting?  Will this hurt the plant?

Answer
Simone, cayenne pepper is a good deterrent, but it does not always kill insects. It simply provides an uncomfortable environment which will cause the pests to go elsewhere. With houseplants, they often have no where else to inhabit.

A better solution is a product called BT, short for Bacillus thuringiensis. It is more commonly sold under the brand names Dipel or MVP. It is a dust that is non-toxic to humans and beneficial insects, but highly effective against caterpillars and worms. These products can also be purchased through on-line catalogs such as Gardens Alive or locally at many garden centers. Attached are two sites from which you can purchase these and other organic controls.

http://www.gardensalive.com
http://www.planetnatural.com

I hope this information helps. Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike