Bug Infestation - 99.99% cannot figure this out

[jochhe1998]

Hey guys,

First off, I think my title is hilarious.

Second, I got some issues man (other than what my Gf says ). I had a pretty bad gnat infestation a couple of days ago and I managed to get rid of most of them - drying soil and diatomaceous earth did it for the most part. Today I found a bunch of these tiny black bugs - they are super small, super jumpy, love sticky traps and almost always a crowd around wet spots (I even found some just chilling in water puddles).

I assumed they were gnat larvae but on closer inspection, I found they did not look like it. My friend believes it to be aphid larvae. Would like to hear you guys and girls thoughts.

Pics included below - (1) sticky trap with thumb for scale (2) 120 x zoom on the pest in question

 

[1dude1seed]

While reading your description of them, "super jumpy and super small", I first thought of spring tails. But they don't look like spring tails. Really curious to see what others say.

 

[ebcrew]

That is alot of bugs!

Ive never seen anything like that. Doesnt look like any bug i know.

 

[ktmracer51]

Its springtails. They breed in huge numbers like that.

 

[Partyslayer1]

Whoa.

 

[Star Dog]

Springtails I think, I'm 90% sure, most people see them in white/cream but you can get them black/dark brown.

They are completely harmless, aphids would be stuck on the plant or roots.

Don't you think bugs chilling in puddles tells a story.

 

[Partyslayer1]

Hey guys,

First off, I think my title is hilarious.

Second, I got some issues man (other than what my Gf says ). I had a pretty bad gnat infestation a couple of days ago and I managed to get rid of most of them - drying soil and diatomaceous earth did it for the most part. Today I found a bunch of these tiny black bugs - they are super small, super jumpy, love sticky traps and almost always a crowd around wet spots (I even found some just chilling in water puddles).

I assumed they were gnat larvae but on closer inspection, I found they did not look like it. My friend believes it to be aphid larvae. Would like to hear you guys and girls thoughts.

Pics included below - (1) sticky trap with thumb for scale (2) 120 x zoom on the pest in question

Puddles?

 

[anomalii]

There is an app call “Seek” that lets you use your phone’s camera to identify stuff in real time. There is an insect category, maybe it could help.

 

[jochhe1998]

While reading your description of them, "super jumpy and super small", I first thought of spring tails. But they don't look like spring tails. Really curious to see what others say.

Same!

 

[jochhe1998]

Its springtails. They breed in huge numbers like that.

Hey ktmracer51,

Thanks for stopping by buddy.

I was wondering how did you get rid of your springtails?

 

[jochhe1998]

Puddles?

lol don't have my water return set up so I just leave it to evaporate right now - which is how I get the little puddles.

 

[jochhe1998]

Springtails I think, I'm 90% sure, most people see them in white/cream but you can get them black/dark brown.

They are completely harmless, aphids would be stuck on the plant or roots.

Don't you think bugs chilling in puddles tells a story.

Hey Star Dog,

thanks for the insight man! Glad it's no problem. One of my friends also said they were harmless too so that's good to hear. I was about to go in mega lockdown/disinfection mode haha.

 

[jochhe1998]

There is an app call “Seek” that lets you use your phone’s camera to identify stuff in real time. There is an insect category, maybe it could help.

Hey anomalii,

I will give it a go!

 

[jochhe1998]

While reading your description of them, "super jumpy and super small", I first thought of spring tails. But they don't look like spring tails. Really curious to see what others say.

Guess you were right lol

 

[1dude1seed]

Guess you were right lol

Apparently so lol. I've noticed them in my grows a few times, just never in the numbers that you're showing.

 

[Star Dog]

Hey anomalii,

I will give it a go!

Did you get a positive I'D?

 

[jochhe1998]

Did you get a positive I'D?

nope

 

[DCcan]

Snow fleas are a type of springtail, they come out early and in plague numbers like that, only eat rotten wood fungus. Sure its something like those.

Eeek! What Are Snow Fleas?

Are you seeing snow fleas in your garden? Don't fret! It may actually be a good sign. We tell you why, including ...

www.farmersalmanac.com

 

[getogrow]

12g bird shot should clear um out.

 

[Partyslayer1]

12g bird shot should clear um out.

Where should I bury the birdshot?