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Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 9:07 pm
by Gary
I found a couple of these guys on one of my sundews. They move slowly, and don't seem to be spiders; no webs seen. The plant isn't suffering any visible damage. Right now it's isolated to just one pot. I'll try to get a pic when/if I find another. Meanwhile, does anyone know what these might be?

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 11:10 pm
by ChefDean
Take a pic, then poke at it with a toothpick. Does it seem to disappear? If so, then likely springtails.

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2022 12:29 am
by Gary
Nope, not springtails. These guys are very slow moving, and maybe half the size of the springtails I've see around here. I'll try for a pic.

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2022 10:05 am
by Barlapipas 6
Maybe thrips? Or some kind of mite?

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2022 5:15 pm
by Gary
Finally got a pic. They definitely have a lot of legs that you can't really see with the naked eye. Fortunately there doesn't seem to be a wholesale infestation, unless these guys are very good at hiding. There's no evidence of webs. Maybe aphids? Here's a magnified view:

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2022 6:01 pm
by Camden
I could be wrong but I think you have spider mites

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2022 9:58 pm
by Gary
Sure looks like it. I have the plant isolated from the other sundews, and have it's pot completely submerged in DI water. One of the DIY solutions I found says to use diluted IPA and either wipe the leaves or spray the whole plant. Others have mentioned that Bayer 3-1 miticide is effective.
So....
Is IPA likely to harm sundews?
Would dunking the entire plant in DI water for a couple days help eradicate these bugs?
I've been very fortunate to not have had pest issues until now, and I don't want to be in a constant battle with these guys. You guys have far more experience than me with these issues, what has worked for you?

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2022 12:39 am
by ChefDean
Dunking can be very effective, but maybe go longer than a couple of days.
IPA is (my opinion) trash on a bunch of levels, but I would think that the alcohol and salts in it would not be good for the plant.
Bioadvanced 3 in 1 is a pretty good all around product, but not too great with spider mites. If you need to treat for spider mites, get something stronger like Avid. It's spendy, but you can get a small portion, enough for five gallons, from the FTC store.
As far as anything (IPA, miticide, etc.) harming the sundew, most sundews are temperamental and will definitely pout with anything you treat them with.

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2022 2:37 am
by Gary
Hi Chef, thanks for the info. Regarding dunking, should I be doing just the pot or the whole plant?
You're right about the cost of the Avid miticide, it's pricey! I was able to find a 2 oz bottle for about $18, much more affordable.

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2022 8:53 pm
by Gary
ChefDean, when you mentioned a water dunk, did you mean immersing the entire plant, and not just the pot? I've had the affected plant in water up to the top of the pot for a couple of days, but wasn't sure I should dunk the whole plant. Thanks for your help!

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2022 9:07 pm
by evenwind
You've got to immerse the whole plant. Otherwise, the buggers will just crawl upwards and wait out the floods.

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2022 9:18 pm
by Camden
In the wild they live in swamps/bogs. I wouldn’t be too afraid as far as damage goes because I’m sure they get flooded at times anyways.

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2022 9:38 pm
by Gary
Cool, I'll get the bucket filled right now. Thanks!

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 4:24 pm
by Gary
I kept the plant underwater for 4 days, and after taking it out of the water I haven't seen any evidence of mites. The plant seems fine, but no dew yet. I expect it will take a couple of weeks to recover.

Re: Tiny, creamy-white colored oval bugs

Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 4:26 pm
by evenwind
Keep checking for mites. They sometimes recover, too. Good luck!