Mites in trash but not on plants?

Anyone ever dealt with a mite that comes from your waste? Maybe a grain mite feeding on rotten materials? I have not seen any damage or pests on my plants. As many as I have in the trash bag I would think if they were plant eaters I would have noticed elsewhere.

BuzzD2Kill said:

Anyone ever dealt with a mite that comes from your waste? Maybe a grain mite feeding on rotten materials? I have not seen any damage or pests on my plants. As many as I have in the trash bag I would think if they were plant eaters I would have noticed elsewhere.
View attachment 3612979

Click to expand...

Yes, they are called Springtails or 'Compost mites' Not thought to be particularly harmful, I had a bad infestation but put my bagged compost in the freezer for a few days.
Hope this helps.


Springtails
These are in fact not a pest but help in the break down of organic material. They have an organ called a fercula (a tail-like appendage) that they hold against their body. When they need to go somewhere or feel threatened they release this organ that catapults them into the air thus being called the springtail.

Watch Springtails in the Worm Bin at Paulys Video


They are literally small enough to fit on the head of a pin. No need to even give these critters a second look or be concerned as a threat or bug in the worm bin.

Solution:
Allow the worm bin to dry out. Leave the lid off and the worms will move farther down into bedding. This will not rid you of all the springtails but should reduce them quite a bit.

I have springtails in the soil, do they have different species? The springtails I have identified are dark with longer bodies.

BuzzD2Kill said:

I have springtails in the soil, do they have different species? The springtails I have identified are dark with longer bodies.

Click to expand...

Not sure about that, but I noticed the DO jump at times, so assumed they are the Springtails. Ive read somewhere they eat fruit-fly gnat larvae too. Ive grown several crops with them in the soil, but never seen them actually on the plant.
Didn't affect the crop.

Yea those are not springtails.

You know there is mites everywhere. On your body, in your bed, on your couch, in your hair.

Kind sounds like thrips kill it kill it with fire!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Rollitup mobile app

after gettting your picture to load I see there not thrips they look like lice again Kill it! Kill it with fire then bust out the bleach!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Rollitup mobile app

Has to be a "grain mite" I guess, only thing in that trash they could be eating is mold from rotting materials. Nuked em soon as I took it outside, nuked the area. Note to self keep trash outside. Lice in trash? Oh noes lol

I feel itchy now hahahaha

TWS said:

You know there is mites everywhere. On your body, in your bed, on your couch, in your hair.

Click to expand...

Yes I do, was just hoping someone could ease my mind. Grew up as a "Knowing is half the battle" kid haha