Soil Mites

[Darkstarlive]

Has anyone have experience with these critters?? They are tiny whiteish bugs that look like a speck of dust that moves. Upon inspection they are definitely a type of mite cause they have 8 legs, they only crawl on the outside of the container and around the rim. The plant is not effected in anyway, no damage, no webbing, no eggs. I got them courtesey of Promix, I checked the bale that I recently opened and sure enough they're in there. After doing some research I found that they feed on bacteria and fungi in the soil and since Promix adds Mycorise fungi to their mix this make a perfect home for these pest and it didn't help that I also add beneficial bacteria & fungi to my soil.
Now, that I know what I have I need to know how to get rid of them, I'm trying Predatory Nematodes but I wonder if there is another way to kill these bastards.

Thanks..

 

[Shan Diego]

I got bad news for you... break the stem, and you will find these light-loathing buggers running in veins inside your otherwise-healthy plant's stems too...do any of the stalks feel too flexible/rubbery? I would take clones now if I were you. Then ditch the dirt, bleach all, and start again.

 

[MynameStitch]

I had this with my first grow and never did find out what they were, they came out after every watering and crawled on the soil and outside of the rim.

I would get the shopvac out everytime after watering and suck the little buggers out.I had a 6t foot tall plant though.........
When I harvested and broke branches I never did see them living inside the plant, normally if that would happen your plants healthy would decline extremely quick.
How is the health of your plants?
I would try some BT first, it kills a lot of types of bugs. BT is mosiquto dunks.....
Your going to have to get something that is safe for soil..... I would try to avoid chemical ferts, because sometimes you won't know if they will harm cannabis, I have seen it a lot of times.

 

[Guest]

What about DE as a control? I can't even to begin to spell the first word. diamathous earth or however you spell it. Lay it down after watering. Then as the little critters come out of the soil the sharp edges of the DE rips their little bodies to bits. Just me wondering. I've never had them.

 

[Darkstarlive]

Plants are healthy no problems. I'm trying predatory nematodes right now and then I'll try the Bt.

I agree if the mites were in side the plant the plant would definitely be ill and die.

Peace...

 

[seebobski]

bummer this is becoming a big outbreak of bugs. Are you sure not 6 legs and
2 tenicals ? I think it is root ahpids. at first I thought spidermites or fungus gnat but if you have any eyelope or microscope take some clear tape and catch a few stick it to glass, look in front of light. even by eye you can get a better look. there is a link of root aphids below. I am trying to stay organic after 1 spray of florimite because I thought it was mites too! it does nothing for root aphids. I am now trying Azitrol and Botanigard es first is an organic insectiside 2nd is a fungus . not the knock down on 1st spray of soil but it is organic. I think between the two will infect and disturb all functions of all age of soft body insects including root aphids from what I found in info . I am going to update in the post below as I go. good luck!


the war is on


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