clear little bugs on top soil???

[mazman1989]

I have a three gallon pot which I just put my seedling in. these little clear bugs with alot legs about the size on a fine beach sand. everyday I pick them out and burn them only about 5 a day. Are they spider mites but there not on my plant? what can I use in the soil to not hurt my roots?

mazman1989 Reviewed by mazman1989 on 08-04-2009. clear little bugs on top soil??? I have a three gallon pot which I just put my seedling in. these little clear bugs with alot legs about the size on a fine beach sand. everyday I pick them out and burn them only about 5 a day. Are they spider mites but there not on my plant? what can I use in the soil to not hurt my roots?:( Rating: 5

[Mustelid]

That's a big planter for a seedling. It's hard to keep the soil watered but not too wet with a big planter. Next time, I'd recommend a smaller planter, like a plastic cup with drainage holes cut in the bottom.

I can't tell you what the bugs are, but if they bother you, get some diatomaceous earth from a pool supply shop, online, or nursery. Call around, most don't carry it.

It's made of microscopic sea shells, and a dusting on the top of the soil will cause bugs and larva crawling on the soil to be torn to pieces.

They don't get immune as with chemicals since it's physical injury to them.

The shells provide nutrients and silica to the plants, and it's organic too.

[mazman1989]

thanks i will call around. I did have them in a plastic cup and saw the tap root on the bottom so I thought I should transplant it. the plant is 2 inchs from soil level. you think if I don't do anything they might disappear? I only killed like 10 of them and there gone for right now? do bugs destroy roots because there not on my plant?

[mazman1989]

well I killed another 10 of them with my lighter on the top of the soil. they pass my stem and don't bother with the plant. they just move everywhere on the soil and go underneath. they are yellow clear and the size of a pencil dot with lots of legs. What are they? Will I be fine?:wtf:

[Mustelid]

With a healthy tap root like that, you'll be fine with the larger planter.

I don't know what the bugs are, they won't go away on their own, I'm sure the soil is full of eggs and larva.

They might be eating the roots.

[mazman1989]

thanks im using diatomaceous earth now and we will see in about 48 hours.

[mazman1989]

ok will I tried that stuff and 48 hours later they were still there going right through the white powder, it doesn't bother them. Is there anything else I can use for bugs in my soil?

[Mustelid]

Give it a little more time, it doesn't hurt the bugs, but it kills the larva, so they can't grow into adult bugs and lay more eggs.

[mazman1989]

ok thanks i will be patient.

[Mustelid]

Working out ok, how's the garden?