Help!!!! Bugs!!!!

[mrclean787]

So I was just checking on my girls before I turned in for the night and i saw something strange!!!! On my plant pots and duct tape(where my plant names are) there are hundreds of very very very tiny grey/black bugs. I was trying to take a picture of them but they are so small not even my nice camera could capture them. Now I never really looked hard at my plant pots and such so who knows they could have been there forever but just seeing them now has scared the sh**t out of me. If I could describe them I would say get a white piece of paper and make a line about of 1/4 of what and eyelash would be length wise and bam!!! Like literally smaller then (-) any ideas anyone? I have been all over the internet for the past half hour and only thing I was able to find is that they might be some type of predator mite and as long as they aren't doing in harm to my plants ( which I will monitor very thoroughly now) don't worry about them.

 

[Cascadian]

Could be predator mites but could be root aphids. I hope they are not root aphids... You want to look for two protrusions on their rear commonly referred to as "dual exhaust". If you see that they are root aphids. Pyrethrin dunk would be the first step IMO.

Try to post a pic if you can.

 

[mrclean787]

 

[SnapsProvolone]

If their root aphids a pyrethrin application will be pissing in the wind. Drench soil with Mallet.

 

[Cascadian]

If their root aphids a pyrethrin application will be pissing in the wind. Drench soil with Mallet.

I respect your expertise Snaps, but I think results vary on that. If pissing in the wind = not eradicated then I agree... I got RAs at 4 weeks flower, put down some duct tape to check the infestation and got about 200-300 on the tape in 48 hours. Did a pyrethrin dunk and only saw 5-10 on the fresh tape 2 days later, didn't see many through harvest after that. I concede that I didn't kill them all, but know it knocked them way back enough to harvest. Still have Mallet on my list to research as I am doing another run now and have not used Mallet or anything else aside from Floramite and Tetrasan 5WDG (for mites on your advice, working great) and others like azamax, spinosad, habanero etc. Won't be growing in the summer though, so should have a better chance at getting rid of them.

Peace man,
Cascadian

 

[mrclean787]

Thanks for the help!!! Is there a Best way to check or determine if they are root aphids? I just did a lot of research again and all the species I have seen this far don't look anything like what I have on my pots. I'm really debating on just pulling a plant out and repotting it just to see if there is anything on the roots!

 

[SnapsProvolone]

If their mites they will have 8 legs. Root aphids 6 legs.

 

[Cascadian]

Put down duct tape sticky side up on the floor. They are attracted to the adhesive. Inspect closely and compare to pics of pests. If you have jewellers loupe use it but with good eyes you can also tell.

 

[SnapsProvolone]

I respect your expertise Snaps, but I think results vary on that. If pissing in the wind = not eradicated then I agree... I got RAs at 4 weeks flower, put down some duct tape to check the infestation and got about 200-300 on the tape in 48 hours. Did a pyrethrin dunk and only saw 5-10 on the fresh tape 2 days later, didn't see many through harvest after that. I concede that I didn't kill them all, but know it knocked them way back enough to harvest. Still have Mallet on my list to research as I am doing another run now and have not used Mallet or anything else aside from Floramite and Tetrasan 5WDG (for mites on your advice, working great) and others like azamax, spinosad, habanero etc. Won't be growing in the summer though, so should have a better chance at getting rid of them.

Peace man,
Cascadian

I'm all about eradication. With a perpetual system you can't afford to keep the problem around. Nuke em in veg and dip before flower. My preflower dip includes eagle 20, mallet, avid, tetrasan. Pretty much guaranteed harvest protection and by the time an entire flower cycle completes the residuals are so very miniscule i can't quantify them with logic (biomass increase vs. degradation). I smoke the nug and concentrate so I trust it. Many dispensaries use this behind closed doors, it's where I learned it.

 

[Cascadian]

Thanks Snaps, agree on the residuals if done pre-flower... I have been impressed with the tetrasan.

 

[mrclean787]

So I woke up this morning to absolutely nothing on the tape or pots........ I also have been reading more and I think they might be springtails but not 100% sure. Every single root aphid I have looked at doesn't look like what i saw at all. Springtails on the other hand look exactly like them. Just haven't seen them under a microscope yet because last night I dropped and broke mine......... Going to get another one today and I have already placed some adhesive with the residue side up and hopefully when I get back I will find out what these little critters are. Either way I'm ready! I will keep this updated the minute I have new info thanks!

 

[mrclean787]

So After many hours of examining the pests that I posted pictures of on here. I come to the conclusion that they are soil mites!!! I will continue to monitor their behavior just to ensure nothing else is going on but all I can say is dang I am definitely relieved. Thanks for all the help!