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Tiny white bugs in soil, attack strawberries

Posted by toenacious Wa (My Page) on
Mon, Jul 12, 10 at 15:23

I'm going nuts trying to ID these pests. I was able to see one under a microscope and this is my best description.

Size: Tiny, less then 1mm
Color: White, almost translucent
Body: 6 legs, segmented body, small antenea
Behaviour: Hate exposure to light, burrow away immediately.
They live 6inches+ under the soil but come up
and attack ripe strawberries from the underside.
Movement: Very fast moving, crawling.

I tried to take a picture but they are too small to focus on. They attack the strawberries but don't seem to actually eat them, only make them mushy. I'm affraid they're affecting my other crops as nothing else I have planted (carrots, spinach, basil, beans) seems to be doing well. This is the first year of our garden, they are raised beds and the soil is mostly a horse manure compost. PLEASE HELP!!!!!


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RE: Tiny white bugs in soil, attack strawberries

  • Posted by jean001 z8aPortland, OR (My Page) on
    Mon, Jul 12, 10 at 16:49

Symphylans fit that description except for the length-- they're longer than one mm. Pupulations are enhanced by lots of manure.

You might look up info on them to see if they fit.


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