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Little white bugs in soil

10 years ago

These little bugs have appeared in the past few weeks. It seems like they came with the spring. The plant is a 2' tall lime tree in about a 6-8 gallon pot. They come out of the soil after watering (about 2/3 gallon every 4-5 days, maybe I am over watering). I have read the following solutions, but I am hesitant to try anything without more of a definition of what this species of insect is, and the best recourse;

Neem Oil?
Sand over soil surface?
Gnatrol?
Spray Pesticide?

Here is a picture of the overall plant:

http://pineboxdesign.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/img_2876.jpg

Please help.

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Comments (3)

Leafhead
10 years ago
Springtail. No need to spray. They eat dead plant material, not live plants.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
10 years ago
NEVER...i mean..NEVER ...

kill anything until you find some actual damage to a plant ...

you can not eradicate mother nature... and garden in a sterile environment ...

and this is a great example of such ...

eradication becomes an alternative.. when a population explodes .. and causes harm ...

prior to that.. its a free show of nature.. enjoy observing.. and learning.. but dont jump to cure.. until necessary ...

ken
Brandon Smith
10 years ago
Nice post! I was moving a cucumber sprout and dug up a small colony of these guys. No idea what they were or if any action should be taken. Now I know!

Thanks

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