Question
I recently moved into a large home and decided to decorate my house with some house plants.  I bought several Tropical plants and they are thriving and doing well.  However, I am very guilty of over watering them.  I am trying to do better by not watering as often.  Anyway.. I recently watered my Ficus Tree which only stands about 3 feet tall and noticed this thread like worms in the drip pan.  They don't appear to have a head or tail and they wiggle from both ends.  They were about 1 1/2 inches in length and basically looked like a piece of thread.  My plant is perfectly healthy and doesn't seem to be affected by this. I have a hunch it's due to my over watering and it's something that survives in moisture, but my question is..
What is the name of these worms?  Are they harmful to humans?  And how do I get rid of them?
Thank you,
Linda

Answer
Linda,

I have no idea what the name of the worms are, they will not hurt you, and to kill them just mix rubbing alcohol and water 50/50 and water your plant with it. next time you water the plant. To kill the ones in the drain tray immediately just empty some rubbing alcohol into the drain tray full strength, it will kill the worms on contact and the alcohol will soon evaporate.

To keep from overwatering your plant insert a bamboo skewer into the soil and check the skewer before watering the plant.  Do not water until 2/3rds of the skewer is dry. Always empty the drain trays on all your plants an hour after watering the plants. You can use a  turkey baster to empty it if it is too heavy to empty it otherwise. Leaving it sit in a tray full of water causes root rot and insects to attack. The worms you have now are probably the larval stage of an insect , maybe fungus gnats. Kill them with the rubbing alcohol and keep the plants dryer and you will have less problems. Good luck.

Darlene