Organic soil and insect problems...need advice

krazykay

New Member
Hi Guys and Gals

Just wanted to ask your opinion on organic soil and insect problems..

I have a grow going indoors and used organic soil + beneficial microbes for nutes ie fish emulsion etc...
I live in a very humid place with temps rising close to 30'c most days
I currently noticed tiny little white lice looking insects on the top layer of my soil..Ive seen them jumping around etc..I checked my plant and its not on any of the leaves etc...likely coz the fans on them constantly...My plants are looking fine..no yellowing or holes anywhere..but it is quite small...Is it possible that these insects are stunting the growth of my plants?? I read up on insects called hypoaspis miles which is beneficial...could it be those?and do I just leave them be?

Also just as future advise...would it be better to use some other media for my grow?I hate insects in my house :(

Thanks for your input
 

tikitoker

Active Member
Without actually seeing this organism, there is no fool proof way of determining if its bennificial. I would wait and watch. If it is a benni, and its presence is prolific, then you have a situation where your soil must have nasties that the bennies are feedling on. That will save you in the longrun. But if there a pest, then I would get neem oil and
Diatomaceous Earth repels: ants, bedbugs, box elder bugs, carpet beetles, centipedes, crickets, cockroaches, earwigs, fleas, grasshoppers, millipedes, slugs and silverfish.Diatomaceous Earth is odorless and nontoxic and looks like white powder. It is composed of finely milled fossilized shells of minuscule organisms called diatoms. The microscopically fine, sharp edges desiccate the insects’ exoskeletons upon contact and the pests dehydrate and die within hours. The insects also die when they eat the dust.
 
Neem Oil works well like tikitoker said, it is one of the most well known pest killers out there.

Another good solution is to make a home-made insecticide from pure soap and water. Takes a few minutes to make and gets rid of most soft-bodied pests you will find in any garden. You can also add natural spices and other ingredients to tweak it to your needs. I made a DIY guide about it earlier. It's worth taking a look into!

https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/751533-diy-soap-based-insecticide-quick.html
 
I do not know the name of these, and there are a few other posts reporting very similar unnamed pests crawling around in soil and inside dead seeds people have pulled out that failed to germinate, most likely due to these little insects! If they can cause a seed to not germinate, I imagine they can stunt a seedlings growth. If you follow the link above, read the guide, and make the organic insecticide, it should remedy your problem.
 

SpicySativa

Well-Known Member
Small + white + jumping = springtail (probably)

These are not harmful to plants in any way, but they don't tend to thrive in the same conditions that are healthy for cannabis roots. They like a little more moisture, which would make sense in a very humid area (soil not drying out). They feed off decaying organic matter and the fungi/bact that live on it. Seeds are less likely to germinate in soil that is too wet, and a seed that doesn't germinate becomes decaying organic matter (in an environmental that is also pleasing to springtails). Might explain that one...

Google "springtail" and check out the pics.
 
Small + white + jumping = springtail (probably)

These are not harmful to plants in any way, but they don't tend to thrive in the same conditions that are healthy for cannabis roots. They like a little more moisture, which would make sense in a very humid area (soil not drying out). They feed off decaying organic matter and the fungi/bact that live on it. Seeds are less likely to germinate in soil that is too wet, and a seed that doesn't germinate becomes decaying organic matter (in an environmental that is also pleasing to springtails). Might explain that one...

Google "springtail" and check out the pics.
I've looked at the pests on mine under a 50x loupe and it doesn't look quite like these. I'll take a look at them again later today when I water and try to get a better description.
 

tomascat

Well-Known Member
diotamacious earth is better know as speedy dry. oil absorbant mechanics use for their floors and it does keep some critters away. i also treat regulary with a soap spray for spider mites
 

tomascat

Well-Known Member
btw, when i 1st saw a spider mite on one of my girls, i felt violated!!! that little cock sucker was attacking MY girl!!! i tried in every way i knew to hurt that prick that was to make for a sleepless night long ago. i can laugh now but was traumatized then, dam
 
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