Urgent: Bugs, Need Identification Help!!!

[Pasch]

I've looked through all of the guides I could get my hands on and tried to ID these bugs by looking at the standard pest pics but couldn't determine wtf these are.

They seem to be at the bottom of my grow room and I am yet to see them on the plants or in the soil -- though I might just be missing them.

I bleached my grow room floor a few times but they are still there so I am wondering what they are, what kind of damage they are doing and most importantly how do I get rid of them?

Please take a look at the image and let me know what you think:

I don't think they fly or jump because when I was killing them they didn't make much of an effort to get away. One seemed to jump at me today but on second thought it may have just received a strong gust from the fan.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

[TrustNoOne]

looks like a tampon string in the bottom of the photo.
i'd say it's a female.

kidding. a better pic would help.

 

[Pasch]

I hear ya on the pic, but that was the best I could do. They are so small I am not able to remove one without crushing it. If I try to zoom in I lose all focus.

They are small tan/sometimes clearish bug with antennae. They seem to be fairly flat to the ground. I haven't seen them jump or fly away when I exterminate them -- they just kind of scurry on their bellies using their tiny legs. I also do not notice any wings... just a few legs and antennae. I thought I saw one jump a few times, but then I realized the fan was catching it (I think...).

edit: the antennae are at the bottom of the pic

 

[ItsGrowTime]

Springtails. They arent dangerous to your plants if kept in check.

 

[Pasch]

Springtails. They arent dangerous to your plants if kept in check.

Thank you. Now that I am looking at some bigger photos of them using google images I think you are probably spot on.

I have been cleaning out the entire room about once per week using bleach -- killing any of the suckers I can see.

Is there anything else I should be doing to keep them 'in check' as you say. I am about 3 weeks from harvest and am running about 50% humidity... sometimes lower and just after watering it sometimes spikes around 55% -- should I be looking into a dehumidifier?

Thanks for the input.

Pasch.

 

[ItsGrowTime]

They like dark, moist places so if you can keep them on the floor and out of your rootball area the plants will be fine. It might sound oogy but spiders *love* them so instead of trying a bug bomb get a few spiders hanging out with your plants. The springtails will go away quickly

 

[Guest]

Springtail

SIZE: Less than 1/5 inch (5mm)

COLOR: Pale brown to cream colored

DESCRIPTION: Springtails are very small (rarely more than 1/5 inch long), pale brown to cream colored insects that seem to hop and disappear when disturbed. The common name "springtail" has been applied to these insects because of this habit of springing away. A hook-like structure on the bottom side of the abdomen is snapped against the ground and this propels the insect.

HABITAT: Springtails are commonly found in moist or damp places, usually in contact with soil. Homeowners encounter them in damp basements and on the surface of the soil of household plants. The moist, organic soil of house plants provides them the proper environment to live and increase in numbers. Plants that are over- watered during the fall and winter can support a large population of springtails in the potting soil.

LIFE CYCLE: Populations are often high, up to 100,000 per cubic meter of surface soil, or many millions per acre. Some can reproduce at temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

TYPE OF DAMAGE: Springtails have chewing mouthparts, but they rarely, if ever, damage house plants (roots or leaves). Frequently, plants begin to decline and homeowners blame the springtails. But not so! Springtails rarely cause the death of house plants-over- watering can, however.

CONTROL: Do nothing, but stop over-watering the plant! Let the soil dry out-the springtails will leave or die.

INTERESTING FACTS: They may live in termite nests, in snow and even in mushroom cellars. Are you using mushroom compost?