Spider mite-looking bugs found in my soil I recycled from last grow

G

Gimpygrower

Member
Hi all!

I just finished up a harvest of 3 plants grown in organic soil. After chopping the plants, I removed the root systems, shook all of the dirt off them into a bin, and I put the soil back into pots and planted seeds in them for my next grow.

Upon closer inspection of the topsoil in one of my pots, I see what I am pretty sure are young spider mites that recently hatched in the soil. See attached photo.

I have 4 pots in the same stage - full of soil, and seeds planted 3 days ago. I feel like in some sense, I am lucky that they aren't fully-grown plants yet. What do you think would be the best way to kill them at this stage? I put Diatomaceous Earth on the tops of each pot, but I was wondering what the community here would suggest to do on top of my DE treatment? Is there a good way to sterilize them completely? I'm not worried about the seeds I planted, I just want to sterilize the soil and set myself up for success.

UPDATE: Is it possible that these aren't spider mites? I see some phytoseilus spider mite predators that have the same shape/coloration as the ones in my soil. See here: https://www.google.com/search?q=phytoseiulus+persimilis+young&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjz6a7boMntAhUO_qwKHUTYDRYQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=phytoseiulus+persimilis+young&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoCCAA6BAgAEB46BggAEAUQHlD_swNY-bsDYKm9A2gAcAB4AIABSogB7gKSAQE2mAEAoAEBqgELZ3dzLXdpei1pbWfAAQE&sclient=img&ei=ciTVX_PoPI78swXEsLewAQ&bih=1080&biw=2752&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS890US890
 

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osowhom

osowhom

Well-Known Member
my suggestion is probably what you are going to hear so here it goes get rid of everthing seeds and all clean your room by new everthing and carry on Sorry it happened
 
G

Gimpygrower

Member
myke said:
They look like beneficial mites.
Click to expand...
I was thinking this is possible too. The reason, is that there are TONS, yet, my plants that were previously growing in this same soil have ZERO mites on them. They are hanging up drying, and I checked many of the remaining sugar leaves, and I havent seen a single mite on them. I have had two-spotted spider mites years ago, and they don't look like these.
 
G

Gimpygrower

Member
Damn, I hope they aren't beneficial mites. I just threw diatomaceous earth on top of the top soils of each pot. If they were spider mites, I'd feel no remorse.
 
osowhom

osowhom

Well-Known Member
well maybe you are in luck
Gimpygrower said:
I was thinking this is possible too. The reason, is that there are TONS, yet, my plants that were previously growing in this same soil have ZERO mites on them. They are hanging up drying, and I checked many of the remaining sugar leaves, and I havent seen a single mite on them. I have had two-spotted spider mites years ago, and they don't look like these.
Click to expand...
 
G

Gimpygrower

Member
osowhom said:
my suggestion is probably what you are going to hear so here it goes get rid of everthing seeds and all clean your room by new everthing and carry on Sorry it happened
Click to expand...
Yea, I get it. I have been growing indoors for 6 years or so, and in my early days, managed to have 5 discreet two-spotted spider mite infestations, so I remember the month-long process of sterilization to get them out of the room. Perhaps these aren't plant-eating bugs though!
 
TaoRich

TaoRich

Well-Known Member
Check this thread:

Soil mite questions hypoaspis (Stratiolaelaps scimitus)

Just a couple questions regarding soil mites hypoaspis (Stratiolaelaps scimitus) If i put them in my potted plants and reuse my soil will they stay and live in the soil long term? Even if there's no fungus gnat larvae too feed on? also could i just put them in my bin of amended pro mix that I...
www.rollitup.org

And read this reference:

Soil

Learn more about Soil with University of Illinois Extension
web.extension.illinois.edu web.extension.illinois.edu

Some of the mites are very beneficial.
 
G

Gimpygrower

Member
TaoRich said:
Check this thread:

Soil mite questions hypoaspis (Stratiolaelaps scimitus)

Just a couple questions regarding soil mites hypoaspis (Stratiolaelaps scimitus) If i put them in my potted plants and reuse my soil will they stay and live in the soil long term? Even if there's no fungus gnat larvae too feed on? also could i just put them in my bin of amended pro mix that I...
www.rollitup.org

And read this reference:

Soil

Learn more about Soil with University of Illinois Extension
web.extension.illinois.edu web.extension.illinois.edu

Some of the mites are very beneficial.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I'm glad they are beneficial insects. I've been very careful to manage my temperature and humidity, as well as cleanliness of decaying leaves, so I would have been surprised to get spider mites a 6th time.
 
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