Just seen these in the soil. Any idea if this is beneficial for the soil or are these something I should be worried about? Only used fox farm as my medium and 4-4-4 gaia green.
Gotta picture??
Sorry am trying to post video but it says not supported vide type. Im trying to get a valid screenshot i guess
I ask because i have some really tiny black ants … i have always called them piss ants but i dont know if they have a purpose or they just like hanging out
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You can only post YouTube links for video. Otherwise pics or gifs only.
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Had to make a new video lol thanks guys for the quick replies
Just posted.
Are you sure they are ants and not fungus Gnats?
I dont know what they are lol I haven’t seen any gnats flying around my tent at all. So I may have just caught it in the very beginning
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Gnat’s will start hatching in soil then start flying
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Just putting this out there, not all bugs in peat based mixes are bad…some bugs break down organics into smaller parts so things like microbes can break them down further into usable components. It’s a basic ecology. Gnats start out as a larvae/worm, then to a tiny and fast little gnat pretty quick. Google Springtail and see if that looks like what you are seeing, they are harmless to your plant…annoying yes.
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So I looked up springtails and spider mites. I feel like the ones im seeing has a noticeably shorter body than springtails. But they arent red like spidermites. Or on my plants just the soil.
I would cover the top 1 inch of your pots with sand and top that with a layer of food grade diatomaceous earth.
Chemically speaking, diatomaceous earth contains all of the following minerals, including 3% magnesium, 5% sodium, 2% iron, 19% calcium, and 33% silicon (and several other trace minerals).
It works by cutting through the exoskeleton of insects as they move around in it.
Additionally you should thoroughly clean you tent area and spray with a neem oil based insecticide.
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Soil Mites like Springtails are harmless organic decomposer/garbage disposals, spider mites will kill a plant. The DE pointed out above will do them in, but have a watering plan, as wet DE is useless, it must remain dry to be effective.
See if these look like your culprits from you tube “Rugby Huddle at .047”
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Those look almost exactly like them! You found it bro! So im guessing these guys are beneficial? And incase I misidentified them and its a different pest what are the things i should oook out 4?
Also if they aren’t beneficial what are some preventatives?
Mainly, the plant showing signs of stress or not doing well. Then its time to look again, personally I don’t like bugs in my grow so I would in a less aggressive way still try to knock them back, maybe not kill off completely. The DE suggested is a good non-chemical way, just have a watering plan, Like I stated. There are a plethora of beneficial nematode, organic and non organic sprays and root drenches available depending on your wants and needs.
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Build up beneficial soil microbes that help your roots uptake nutrients and provide a first level defense for bad microbes to colonize your root zone.
I use a product from Botanicare called Hydroguard that has Bacillus bacterium.
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I also have a bug zapper in my tent. Uses a UV light to attract insects and zaps them. You can hear it working and know when you have activity.
Limited-time deal: Indoor Bug Zappers, Insect Traps for Indoors Mosquito Killer for Kids & Pets, Home, Kitchen, Bedroom, Baby Room, Office (2, Bule) https://a.co/d/e1w0NTX
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