Some sort of mite? Suggestions for control?

[ceropegia]

As I was examining the mold growing on one of my pots (I'd allowed it to sit in a too-wet tray for too long...whoops) I noticed some miniscule yellow insects on the side of the pot. I think they are mites (they are about 1/4-1/2 of a mm) but I'm not sure what species. They don't look like spider mite pictures I've seen or anything...

I examined the plant itself and I didn't see any crawling on it, so at least that's a good sign. I checked all of my other pots and I found the same tiny yellow ones on 2 other pots, along with some longer-bodied black-striped insects (about the same size). All 3 of the pots were damp to the touch (I've not been too diligent with emptying their trays lately :/) but I didn't see any of them actually on the plants.

So are these mites? How do they spread exactly? I haven't seen much info on how they get from place to place. What should I do to get rid of them if they are harmful? I was thinking I might try neem oil since another plant of mine has mealybugs (I sequestered it in another room) but I'm not sure how effective it will be.

Any suggestions? I'm attaching a pic but it's pretty hard to see any detail. I circled some of them anyway. Thanks!

[Izzie]

Hmm...I've never seen mites like these that stayed just on the pots...
I HAVE, however, had mold grow on some of my terracotta pots that my plastic ones are set in. Ranged from white, to green, to dark green/brown.

For now, I'd wash off what you can until you can get more definitive answers.
Maybe try soaking in a bleach solution (if it's mold, 1 tsp bleach to gal. water) or very mild soapy water. (you can probably scrub the pot itself with regular soap, but weaken it if you soak the plant)

[Judi]

Do they jump in the medium or when in water? They look like they are about the right size for springtails. Supposedly they don't do any harm--I had them a while back, but managed to get rid of them when I was repotting anyway. Here are some links for springtails: ENY-228/IG124: Springtails and http://www.orchidboard.com/community...y-saucers.html

[Tindomul]

They look a little roundish for springtails, but it is possible.
And I can guarantee spring tails don't harm orchids. They only eat what is already dead. If they start jumping like they had little springs on their buts then they are springtails.