Found tiny white insects in soil. No idea what they are..

[JohnKimble]

While watering, I noticed some very tiny white insects in the water sitting on the top of the soil and in the run off. They are very very tiny probably about 1/6 of a milimeter. They move in the water and kind jump through the water in pulsating movements. Seems maybe they are drowning. At first I thought the were larvea, maybe they are. But I can faintly see legs on them I think so they might be already fully developed tiny insects of some kind.

I have no idea what they are if they a danger to the plant or beneficial. I thought maybe fungus gnats or root aphids, but I haven't see anything flying around. The soil just seems be crawling with these. There must be several thousand. Anyone have experience seeing something like that in their soil?

 

[JohnKimble]

I tried to take a picture. I couldn't zoom in enough to really see it. But here it is anyways. Its the little white tiny thing at the end of the red arrow.

 

[Scrappy-doo]

Can't see from the pic. Could be springtails or hypoaspis miles. Both beneficial. Look them up and see if u can id.

 

[Terps]

sounds like springtails to me.

 

[JohnKimble]

Yeah it seems like they might be springtails. Many other reports in forums from growers having those. I think I may have encouraged their numbers by keeping the soil moist constantly. I water with aerated/bubbled water so has extra oxygen in it. I've never had wilting from overwatering. Maybe I should let the soil dry out!

I'm growing a blueberry, its 1 month into flower. If these things harm my plant before harvest, I'll be a very sad grower!

 

[Scrappy-doo]

Springtails are tough to get rid of. They like wet places so drying your soil will help but unless you do a drench of some sort they may be around for a while. I forget how I got rid of them may have been mosquito dunks crushed up and sprinkled on the soil. They dont directly hurt your plants but are a sign usually that there are other potential problems with the medium. They eat dead roots and such. Or if you just have them in the house then there's not much you can do. Common though. I washed a pair of sneakers recently and let them dry outside on the porch. When I brought them back in I knocked them a few times in case some kinda spider or something crawled in there, and some springtails fell out onto the floor, and I don't grow at home, so... They like damp places and common around the house.

 

[Tulku]

found this informative when i first shit my pants with these...http://organicsoiltechnology.com/springtails-a-beneficial-arthropod.html

 

[amanda88]

Neem Oil.. a teaspoon to the watering can each time ...ensures bugs don't get to the plants

 

[JohnKimble]

Tulka, intersting it says they carry and eat mycorrhizae a fungus that helps update of phosphorus, I never put that into my soil. But it must mean I have lot of it now in my soil.
But even if they harmless, they creep me out. I've been inchy ever since I found them lol.

Scrappydoo I did had two other unknown bagseed plants I was growing that wilted and died at 3 weeks of veg, I found those supposed springtrails too in them. I thought that was what killed them. So I am worried about my blueberry now... Maybe it is a sign there is something else wrong my soil health.

I'll look into neem oil and let my soil get dry to reduce their numbers.

 

[JohnKimble]

Apparently springtails aren't insects, they are an ancient animal that has survived since pehistoric times. go figure.. lol

 

[TheScrogFrog]

Yep springtails, nothing wrong with em, they are a beneficial arthropod in organic soil. They help stimulate mycorrhizae and help in controlling fungal diseases. They live by eating the tips of the mycorrhizae which stimulates the mycorrhizae to grow faster and dissolve nutrients and feeds the plant.

Don't kill em.

 

[JohnKimble]

I believe the bacteria in Advanced nutrients Voodoo juice killed all the springtails. They are gone now since I started watering heavily with that that 2 days ago. I probably have used 6-8ml of voodoo already trying to get the soil inoculated well. Root steroids and pesticide in one bottle..

 

[JohnKimble]

Seriously dudes the springtails are gone now. The voodoo juice killed them. If you have springtails and wanna get rid of them use voodoo juice. I think I might send an email to Advanced Nutrients and let them know about their product's extra feature. lol