Unidentified critter. I'm hoping it's just soil mites!

Hollatchaboy

Well-Known Member
Hey all! I got critters.... judging by the amount crawling just in the outside of the pot, I'd guess there's hundred thousand if not more! Please tell me it's just predator mites.... these are the only photos I have until lights on later today and then I'll scope them.
 

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Tracker

Well-Known Member
Picture is not clear enough to identify. Did you add predatory mites? Did the vendor give a picture? If you didn't add predatory mites, I assume they are pests, and there is an infestation. There would not be that many of them unless there is a food source to support that much reproduction.
 

GreenhouseGreen

Well-Known Member
As you mentioned, these pictures are kind of difficult to work with. But, we can try to help you figure out what to focus on when you get ready with your loupe.

Questions. Are they constantly moving? Do they jump around when you get close or get water on them? Do you have leaf damage, or droopy leaves? Are they mostly in the soil or on the plants?

I don't know if you can answer these until lights on but it's a good place to start once you can start investigating.
 

Hollatchaboy

Well-Known Member
Picture is not clear enough to identify. Did you add predatory mites? Did the vendor give a picture? If you didn't add predatory mites, I assume they are pests, and there is an infestation. There would not be that many of them unless there is a food source to support that much reproduction.
I add bas ewc every two weeks, all kinda critters in that shit. Lol.
 

Hollatchaboy

Well-Known Member
As you mentioned, these pictures are kind of difficult to work with. But, we can try to help you figure out what to focus on when you get ready with your loupe.

Questions. Are they constantly moving? Do they jump around when you get close or get water on them? Do you have leaf damage, or droopy leaves? Are they mostly in the soil or on the plants?

I don't know if you can answer these until lights on but it's a good place to start once you can start investigating.
They are constantly moving, they don't jump at all just run around. They're really small. No leaf damage. No droop. Actually they are running around on the outside of the pot.
 

DoubleAtotheRON

Well-Known Member
Wished you had some more clear pics... I just ordered a USB 1200x's microscope with a 7 inch screen so I can better identify the occasional creature I find. I got tired of struggling with my loupe and iPhone.
 

myke

Well-Known Member
Thanks man. I haven't seen any problems so I didn't think they were harmful, but man there is a lot of them.
I find when I top water my sip the next day theres a population explosion. Maybe they come from below and dont like it that wet?
 

GreenhouseGreen

Well-Known Member
If you have to stare at them to see them stop and your plants look fine, they're probably good bugs. If you have to stare at them to see them move or your plants look affected, they're probably bad bugs. It looks to me more like Amblyseius Andersoni but it could easily be one of the many other predator mites.

I'm no bug expert but, I think it's nothing to worry about unless they're clogging drain lines or something like that.
 

Hollatchaboy

Well-Known Member
If you have to stare at them to see them stop and your plants look fine, they're probably good bugs. If you have to stare at them to see them move or your plants look affected, they're probably bad bugs. It looks to me more like Amblyseius Andersoni but it could easily be one of the many other predator mites.

I'm no bug expert but, I think it's nothing to worry about unless they're clogging drain lines or something like that.
Nope, no clogged lines. I'm in living soil.
 
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