Markinoku
Well-Known Member
what are the bigger teardrop bugs in this video? Beneficial or detrimental?
soil life question
- Thread starter Markinoku
- Start date
Hollatchaboy
Well-Known Member
It's hard to tell from the video. A good rule of thumb is if they move slow, they're usually detrimental. If they move fast, it's usually beneficial. Are you noticing a problem?
Hollatchaboy
Well-Known Member
The clearer, bigger, teardrop shape as you say, look like soil mites. They're beneficial. Keep in mind, with soil you want everything in moderation. A few fungus gnats, no big deal. An infestation, no bueno.
Markinoku
Well-Known Member
I am having problems w some odd deficiencies and leafs dying off. Running ffof w ewc and compost amended. Been consistent on top dressings w dr earth flower girl. I just feel like I’m chasing my tail trying to fix deficiencies, thought to try looking at other possibilities. There is a hefty springtail population, quite a few of those round mites, and quite a bit of some fungus gnat larvae. No pests outside of soil, although I have seen of what I thought to be a couple fungus gnat fliers here and there, but not even a noticeable population.
Budzbuddha
Well-Known Member
Looks like soil mites
Hollatchaboy
Well-Known Member
Yea looks like soil mites but I agree it looks like you got something going on.
Markinoku
Well-Known Member
Hmmm, could it be fungus gnat larvae damage without seeing any gnats actually flying around? Picked up some mosquito bits the other day, and ordered some nematodes too. Hopefully incorporating these will help.
Hollatchaboy
Well-Known Member
Did you scope the leaves at all by chance?
Markinoku
Well-Known Member
Didn’t actually scope the leaves. But I have been inspecting them pretty good the whole time. Haven’t seen anything outside of the soil.
Hollatchaboy
Well-Known Member
Id get a scope if you don't have one and check. You never know until you know.