Microcopic bugs in soil: harmless, beneficial, evil?

[Nullis]

I grow in soil, which I am aware is alive. I know that the majority of bugs/insects in the soil are harmless and that some are even beneficial.

Anyways, I've had some problems with fungus gnats, which I have under control for most of the plants using mosquito dunks (Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis). When surveying the soil of the set of plants growing in the closet today, I noticed two kinds of very small bugs in the soil. The first kind were spider-like and orange-tan in color, moving in and out of the soil. I am fairly confident that these are predatory mites and I am not concerned about them.

The second type of bug actually seemed like it was smaller. They almost look more pill-shaped. They are nearly white in color and almost invisible. What is more peculiar is that they seem to be able to hop as if they were fleas or something. These things were very very small and I don't have a clue what they could be. They are abundant in the soil and a few of them crawl along the inner rim of the pot.

If anyone has any idea what these things could be, and/or perhaps a guide detailing soil-dwelling critters please let me know! I don't want to overreact by nuking the room or the soil with anything that isn't necessary. I could sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the top of the soil again, but it always gets wet.

 

[mconn333]

i have little bugs in my soil also. i cant identify all of them but they seem to stay in my grow box, mostly in the soil. this is my 3rd grow with the litle bastards. I never ran into a problem.

 

[reh420]

Springtails imo, they do mess your roots up, get rid of them.

 

[doc111]

I grow in soil, which I am aware is alive. I know that the majority of bugs/insects in the soil are harmless and that some are even beneficial.

Anyways, I've had some problems with fungus gnats, which I have under control for most of the plants using mosquito dunks (Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis). When surveying the soil of the set of plants growing in the closet today, I noticed two kinds of very small bugs in the soil. The first kind were spider-like and orange-tan in color, moving in and out of the soil. I am fairly confident that these are predatory mites and I am not concerned about them.

The second type of bug actually seemed like it was smaller. They almost look more pill-shaped. They are nearly white in color and almost invisible. What is more peculiar is that they seem to be able to hop as if they were fleas or something. These things were very very small and I don't have a clue what they could be. They are abundant in the soil and a few of them crawl along the inner rim of the pot.

If anyone has any idea what these things could be, and/or perhaps a guide detailing soil-dwelling critters please let me know! I don't want to overreact by nuking the room or the soil with anything that isn't necessary. I could sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the top of the soil again, but it always gets wet.

I have the exact same things in my soil. I use FFOF and Happy Frog and I've had them for years. They have never caused me any problems so I just leave 'em alone.

 

[tybudz]

at what magnification are you guys seeing the bugs??

 

[doc111]

at what magnification are you guys seeing the bugs??

I can see them with the naked eye but they are barely visible. I've kind of resigned myself to the fact that they are not causing me any problems since my plants are always healthy and my yields are great!

 

[Nullis]

Naked eye also, just have to look closely in order to see them. Although I have a 100x hand microscope, I think they can move too fast for me to get a visual with it.

Definitely seems like they're some type of springtail, judging by the fact that they hop like that. Decomposers. Some species potentially detrimental, but according to the wikipedia they may actually provide another benefit.

Springtails are well known as pests of some agricultural crops. Sminthurus viridis, the 'lucerne flea', has been shown to cause severe damage to agricultural crops,[20] and is considered as a pest in Australia.[21] Also Onychiuridae are known to feed on tubers and to damage them to some extent.[22] However, by their capacity to carry spores of mycorrhizal fungi and mycorrhiza-helper bacteria on their tegument, soil springtails play a positive role in the establishment of plant-fungal symbioses and thus are beneficial to agriculture.[23] They also contribute to controlling plant fungal diseases through their active consumption of mycelia and spores of damping-off and pathogenic fungi.[24] It has been suggested that they could be reared to be used for the control of pathogenic fungi in greenhouses and other indoor cultures.[25]

I also use Ocean Forest but never noticed them from soil straight out of the bag. I wont do anything for now except work DE into the carpet surrounding the pots.
Thanks everyone.

 

[doc111]

Naked eye also, just have to look closely in order to see them. Although I have a 100x hand microscope, I think they can move too fast for me to get a visual with it.

Definitely seems like they're some type of springtail, judging by the fact that they hop like that. Decomposers. Some species potentially detrimental, but according to the wikipedia they may actually provide another benefit.
I also use Ocean Forest but never noticed them from soil straight out of the bag. I wont do anything for now except work DE into the carpet surrounding the pots.
Thanks everyone.

Sounds like a good plan. I was fortunate enough to capture and kill one and view it under my microscope and I came to the conclusion that there is a species of beneficial/predatory mite and springtails. If they keep root aphids and other nasty creepy crawlies away from my ladies then they are welcome for as long as they are contributing in a positive way to my little 'biodome'. If they become a problem..........they will be outta there!