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White bugs in soil

  • Lee99
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White bugs in soil was created by Lee99

Posted 4 years 3 months ago #55826
I'm wondering whether anybody can help me.
I'm a fairly new bonsai tree owner, I have had mine around 4/5 months and have not had any problems with it until a few days ago when little white bugs started to present themselves in the soil.
I have tried putting it in the shower and this has not worked, they went under the soil surface and are now back.
Does anyone know how I could get rid of these?
by Lee99

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  • Tropfrog
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Replied by Tropfrog on topic White bugs in soil

Posted 4 years 3 months ago #55828
Hard to tell from the Photo. But I would guess springtails. They are no harm to your tree, but a sign that you are keeping the soil too wet.
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  • Harrison324
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Replied by Harrison324 on topic White bugs in soil

Posted 4 years 2 months ago #56112
Hi im also new to bonsai and i think ive the same problem as the the guy who created the post, ive attached a photo that will hopefully help. Do i need to be worried about the bugs or not and what is the best way to get rid of them?
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Last Edit:4 years 2 months ago by Harrison324

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  • Auk
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Replied by Auk on topic White bugs in soil

Posted 4 years 2 months ago #56113

Harrison324 wrote: Do i need to be worried about the bugs


Springtails are a sign of overwatering (explained often on this forum and easy to Google).
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  • Tokugawa0079
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Replied by Tokugawa0079 on topic White bugs in soil

Posted 4 years 2 months ago #56576
I have them as well and I have been overwatering my acer lately... Will give you an update to see what happens when I leave it to dry abit, just hope it doesn't kill the tree!
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  • stevec59
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Replied by stevec59 on topic White bugs in soil

Posted 4 years 2 months ago #56638
Looks like I have these as well in my Sagertia Theezans, some of the leaves are curled, but I don't see them on the leaves, I have a moisture meter and I usually check, but maybe when I'm watering and feeding I'm giving them too much, I tend to feed it well thinking that I'm doing good, loos like I'm not . The whit bugs do move, but I guess that is normal. Do I brush them off?
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  • ashoka3
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Replied by ashoka3 on topic White bugs in soil

Posted 4 years 1 month ago #56840
If the tiny white bugs in the soil of your jasmine plant are jumping, they are likely springtails. These insects are less than 1/16th of an inch with an oval or elongated body. ... Springtails are detritivores, feeding on decaying plant material. They are harmless to jasmine and other plants.
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  • Tropfrog
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Replied by Tropfrog on topic White bugs in soil

Posted 4 years 1 month ago #56844
I culture springtails as part of Another hobby. As a result I find them from time to time in my houseplants. Nothing to worry about really.

Do not try to kill them by drying out the soil totally as you will risk to lose your tree. Just decrease watering slowly. If the tree shows signs of underwatering when springtails still present, prioritize your trees health before killing springtails. They are after all no threat to your tree.
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