ExpertRookie
Well-Known Member
I have recharge not long ago and I’ve heard you can see them but I’m afraid these are aphids?? Is citric acid a good way to get rid of them
What are these?
- Thread starter ExpertRookie
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PopAndSonGrows
Well-Known Member
Looks like springtails. A hydrogen peroxide flush will reduce their numbers, their presence is usually a good thing though
ExpertRookie
Well-Known Member
Are you sure?? I’ve never had aphids and my plants new growth looks good
jondamon
Well-Known Member
You don’t see springtails in those kinds of numbers on the outside of pots.
Looks more like mould mites. Aka Tyrophagus putrescentiae also known as cheese mites.
jondamon
Well-Known Member
See above
harrychilds
Well-Known Member
Yeah, those aren't springtails. Springtails always stay in the medium and not on the outside of the pot. Sometimes you will get springtails in the run off but never on the outside of the pot.
Babalonian
Well-Known Member
So… first time I’ve seen cheese mites infesting cannabis (and a couple google searches isn’t proving much information… probably user error)…. How bad are they (especially at the infestation level in the pic) for the plant? Treatment/prevention/predation options?
harrychilds
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't have a clue, jondamon knows more than me, have you been eating lots of cheese on toast and pizza? haha lol
jondamon
Well-Known Member
I’ve never known them do any damage and it’s usually humidity related as to why they come around.
dry out the area and the numbers should go down.
you can use citric acid 2-3 teaspoons in 1 litre/1 quart of water will kill them.
jondamon
Well-Known Member
They are attracted to higher humidity because high humidity usually = mould spores for them to feed on lol.I wouldn't have a clue, jondamon knows more than me, have you been eating lots of cheese on toast and pizza? haha lol
if you buy Hypoaspis miles these mould mites are usually present as a transport food source for the Hypos.
Babalonian
Well-Known Member
Not really, but seeing an infestation like that and fearing the worst of things sometimes, makes me want to rethink attempting any homemade cheese making while the grow is in session.
Babalonian
Well-Known Member
Very interesting. So if you had or are introducing predator mites, and you’re practicing good wet-dry technique, they’re not gonna wreck the grow? Maybe even beneficial since you maybe want to feed predator mites to keep them in residence? (Maybe a stupid question, but I’m considering and never used the predator mites).
Thank you for providing some mental-food for thought
jondamon
Well-Known Member
No problem. I can’t attest to how well it works in your idea.
I’m just an armchair entomologist. Lol.
Babalonian
Well-Known Member
Yup, and I’m the professional cultivar* of all 0.00037 acres of my garden.
*certificate is in the mail
*certificate is in the mail
ExpertRookie
Well-Known Member
After further research I concluded those are indeed soil mites. My grow is organic, soil mites help decompose the organic matter essentially making it easier uptake for the plant. But I also heard they can be harmful to humans by carrying disease and even tape worms
jondamon
Well-Known Member
If they are mould mites (which I believe they are) they will have fine hairs on their backs.
these hairs are what can cause some issues for people.
FYI most homes have these mites already living within the building somewhere.
ExpertRookie
Well-Known Member
Facts my guy. You can’t stop them regardless they’re so tiny they’ll find a way to that organic matter and me having an inoculated spawn bag near probably has something to do with it to
crimsonecho
Well-Known Member
a mite to remember
don’t kill these guys if you have them, don’t drench your soil or soilless mix with pesticides, don’t use diatomaceous earth to cover the top soil either because these guys will do the job for free. hypoaspis miles, a beneficial guy all the way. scavengers, so they will eat any pest that spends...
www.rollitup.org
jondamon
Well-Known Member
Or they could look like this and actually be mould mites as yours are hypoaspis miles that you have linked.
crimsonecho
Well-Known Member
definitely possible need close ups for correct identification i kinda feel like i can see reddish heads in the pics like hypos have but cant say for sure. got some other mite pics in the thread courtesy of the members of our community too. its not just about hypoaspis though that was the initial purpose of the thread i just hate them being decimated because people think they have a dangerous infestation or something.