Got bugs but am pretty sure they are benificial

NickNasty

Well-Known Member
So I have all these tiny brown bugs in my soil. I had springtails in my soil a while back but they have all seemed to disappear and the reason I think is because I think I have predatory mites called "Hypoaspis miles" The reason I believe that is what these are is cause they look very similar too them and I have zero plant problems that I can see. Here are some pics they are not very good as these suckers are small and fast.
bug.jpgbugs1.jpgbugs2.jpg

Here are some pics from the web of Hypoaspis miles
462683730-hypoaspis_miles.jpgView attachment 2470336

Anyone have any thought on this? Again I see zero plant damage and I use to have springtails and now don't.
Here is what the web has to say about them < they are sold for soil dwelling pest control.

This tiny (0.5 mm) light-brown mite naturally inhabits the top 1/2" layer of soil where fungus gnats, as well as springtails and thrips pupae dwell. The female Hypoaspis mites lay their eggs in the soil, which hatch in 1-2 days, and the nymphs and adults feed on the soil-dwelling pests. Populations of Hypoaspis include both sexes, but the males are much smaller and rarely seen. Each Hypoaspis mite will consume 1-5 prey or eggs per day. They survive by feeding on algae and/or plant debris when insects aren't available. Their entire life cycle is 7-11 days.
Hypoaspis are used primarily for control of fungus gnat larvae, but they also feed on western flower thrips pupae
 

Rrog

Well-Known Member
Hypoaspis mites are sold as beneficial predators. Breed 'em and we'll buy them from you! If that's what they are...
 

abe supercro

Well-Known Member
very kool guy. a lot of 'em critters are good.
nice that you didn't over-react and break out something lethal.
 

smoke and coke

Well-Known Member
idk i would have bombed the place long ago and killed all bugs in the area. along with a good cleaning with bleach water.

what is the hairy thing in the 1st couple of pics?


edit deleted info
 

Rrog

Well-Known Member
Fibers look like a smart pot. If that s Hypo Mite, it's a good thing to have around.
 

NickNasty

Well-Known Member
I was worried when I first saw them. They popped up the about the same time I noticed the springtails did but seeing as I didn't see any damage I just kept a watch on them. So a month or so has gone by and the springtails are gone. Now these seem to be traveling farther I think looking for food. Anyways just thought I would share since most of the time when people see any type of bug in their garden they didn't put there they want to go NUCLEAR on their asses.
 

smoke and coke

Well-Known Member
I was worried when I first saw them. They popped up the about the same time I noticed the springtails did but seeing as I didn't see any damage I just kept a watch on them. So a month or so has gone by and the springtails are gone. Now these seem to be traveling farther I think looking for food. Anyways just thought I would share since most of the time when people see any type of bug in their garden they didn't put there they want to go NUCLEAR on their asses.
i always look at it like this; if there are good bugs, then there must be bad bugs or the good bugs wouldnt be there. so yeah i nuke them all.
 
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