Little White Bugs

So- About a week ago I noticed little white bugs crawling around in my soil. The soil is 100% organic with a good PH level and I have never added anything to the plant. I only see the bugs when I water the plant, they move very fast. Not sure how long they have been there, but they do not seem to be doing any harm to the plant. I am in my 19th day of flowering and the plants seem to be growing quite nicely (First time closet grow). I'm not sure what to do, and I would prefer not to put any chemicals on it. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

CoronaQueen said:

So- About a week ago I noticed little white bugs crawling around in my soil. The soil is 100% organic with a good PH level and I have never added anything to the plant. I only see the bugs when I water the plant, they move very fast. Not sure how long they have been there, but they do not seem to be doing any harm to the plant. I am in my 19th day of flowering and the plants seem to be growing quite nicely (First time closet grow). I'm not sure what to do, and I would prefer not to put any chemicals on it. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

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i hate those things!!! i got them 2!! dont worry they do no harm...sometimes they come in the soil and are attracted to standing water at the bottom of your buckets...they look like there jumping around right?? all is good..they wont hurt your plants at all...just let your babies grow =) happy growing....

if you have a picture i can make sure were taking about the same white bugs.. =)



Springtails (usually Onychiurus species) in pot plants

Plants affected

Many pot plants, especially those grown in peat, coir or other types of soil-less compost.

Symptoms

Small wingless insects, up to 2mm long and often white, crawl among the compost of pot plants. They are most noticeable after watering when they come up onto the surface before burrowing back in the compost, or they may be flushed out through the drainage holes and be seen floating on the drainage water.
Other white insects of similar size found among the roots of pot plants are likely to be root mealybugs. That sap-feeding type of pest is relatively immobile in the soil compared with the much more active springtails. The latter also has a pair of antennae visible on the insect's head, whereas those on mealybugs are microscopic.

Cause

These insects are springtails, so-named because many species (not Onychiurus spp.) have a forked structure folded under their abdomen; when flicked out it propels the insect into the air and helps the creature escape predators or adverse conditions. Many species of springtail of various colours occur in garden soil but the types most frequently found in potting compost are white Onychiurus species.

Control

None is necessary. These are harmless creatures that feed on fungal growth and decaying plant material. They are dependent on damp conditions and so will not spread away from pot plants or become a nuisance in the home.

get some diatomaceous earth from a online, or nursery. Call around, most don't carry it. Don't get the pool kind its to weak. 8 bucks for a pound but will last for years.

Non-selective contact killer, DE is the fossilized remains of single-celled creatures called diatoms. Each fossil has sharp edges that irritate and lacerate soft-bodied insects. The DE material abrades the exoskeleton of insects, causing dehydration and death. Effective on almost all crawling insects. Insects cannot become immune and will die within 48 hours of contact. Safe around children, pets and wildlife. Long lasting, odorless, non-staining.

The shells provide nutrients and silica to the plants, and it's organic too.
3% magnesium, 33% silicon, 19% calcium, 5% sodium, 2% iron and many other trace minerals such as titanium, boron, manganese, copper and zirconium.

Also try potato slices on the top of the soil. keep them there for 24hrs and you might have some bugs on the bottom of them and throw them away.

Squid + Neem is a liquified squid nutrient that is blended with neem oil to provide a unique foliar spray concentrate that has exceptional nutrient advantages for accelerated plant growth. Neem is known for its ability to protect plant health.



Keeping marijuana free of insect pests is a constant gardening challenge. Many sprays are effective on adult insect pests, but not on their eggs. Now there’s a new insecticide made from plants for plants that effectively destroys insects in all stages of their lifecycle from eggs to adults.

Pyola, is an organic broad-spectrum spray that combines pyrethrin, a popular organic insecticide derived from pyrethrum flowers, with canola oil extracted from rapeseed. The result is a powerful spray that kills insects and their eggs, yet leaves no long-term residue in the environment.

if you have no money get some garlic , onions, pepper and vegetable oil. those are soil lice they will not hurt the plant or the roots but if they are bothering you then use the stuff.

this is some really good info if you have pests/gnats ect. + rep for you man

but if it is springtails..leave them be you will do more harm trying to get rid of them , then you will just leaving them be..

mazpot said:

if you have no money get some garlic , onions, pepper and vegetable oil. those are soil lice they will not hurt the plant or the roots but if they are bothering you then use the stuff.

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Could you just cover the topsoil with a thick layer of sand. Should smother the little buggers, I'm pretty sure they wont enjoy it.

do they fly at all or just crawl around the soil?

Thanks all! I have not noticed them jumping around, but they are little tiny white dots that scramble very fast after I water. I had an idea that they were springtails from my research, but you can never be too careful with your ladies

I also went in to see if I could get a good picture, but I did not see any. I have already watered today, so I will try to get some pics after my next water!

i bet a NUG on it!!
there springtails very common...

CoronaQueen said:

Thanks all! I have not noticed them jumping around, but they are little tiny white dots that scramble very fast after I water. I had an idea that they were springtails from my research, but you can never be too careful with your ladies

I also went in to see if I could get a good picture, but I did not see any. I have already watered today, so I will try to get some pics after my next water!

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I don't believe they are springtails. I believe they are hypoaspis miles. They are a predatory mite that actually helps keep away bad bugs. Look for YouTube video called "finally id'd as hypoaspis miles". If that's what thy look like then leave them because they are helping. I have noticed they are common in organic soils like Miracle Gro organic choice.

Let me mention I did research and they should not jump or fly. They live in the top layer of the soil and usually dont come out until the top soil is watered or moved. They are usually white in color and sometimes look a little amber. Again the video should help you identify!