Thought i'll also include pictures to hep identify the problem faster.

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White threadlike worms

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This is the african violet which i've propagated from a leaf and it's just starting to bloom. Does it look affected by the worms?

HI Jodi,
I am guessing that you have some springtails which are not really harmful. If they bother you try giving them a drench of Lindane which is what Helen Van Pelt Wilson recommends. I would try a drench of Neem oil or watering an application of Marathon into the pot.
Fred in NJ

I loved your picture of the white worms. May I have your permission to put it in my collection of bug pictures?

I did a little research on these thread-like worms. I've never seen any like this before but as Fred said I would say they are in nymph form of springtails. Springtails eat only decaying matter in soil and are no problem to the African violet. In fact some people say seeing these indicates the plant is in good growing conditions.

If you really want to be rid of these icky things you can go a safer route than that suggested by Fred and Helen Van Pelt Wilson. I don't think Lindane is still on the market at this time.

You can use diluted bleach with water for several waterings and this should kill the little monsters. I would say two drenchings at 7 days apart using 1 teaspoon bleach to 10 parts warm water.

If you have a huge infestation with many plants involved I would recommend Malathion one teaspoon per gallon water or Kelthane to effectively control.

But why use chemicals when household products are available and are safer.

Should you decide to use the chemicals, use only one drenching.

The only other possibility would be that the thread-like worms are nematodes, but these are microscopic. You get nematodes by using garden soil in your soil mix. If you have a completely soiless mix, you don't have to worry about Root knot nematodes which are almost unheard of these days.

Very interesting picture.

Nancy

Okay, Nancy, I give up. How much is a 'part' in the bleach/water mix? LOL

Inquiring minds want to know.....

Barbara

A "Part" can be anything! One soup can of peat moss, one can vermiculite, one can perlite. They are all parts.

On teaspoon bleach, or one part, to 10 teaspoons or ten parts of water.

JUst a crazy way to measure, I guess.

Nancy

Hi Fred & Nancy
Thanks for the advice. I'll definately try drenching the plant with diluted bleach first. The neem oil will be my next option if the bleach still doesn't get rid of the yucky little things.

Jodi

I wouldn't think Neem oil would do anything to these soil borne pests. If you have diatomateous earth (very inexpensive powder)that would certainly do the trick. DE is grounded up sea creature skeletons which become powder like. These skeletons remain sharp and when any insect in the soil crawls across them, they are cut to ribbons.

Diatomateous earth is used in farms to kill parasites in the intestines of animals so is available in feed stores. I know you can get it at times on ebay. Your nursery may have it. My own club sells it in small quantity. I usually just mix it with my soil so all plants get a bit of it to guard against soil bourne insects such as the dreaded soil mealy bug.

Nancy