Small black beetle like bugs?

[lotis146]

Just as I'm about to go handle my business I spray my NEW Tolumnia Buck Hollow and notice (didn't when I got it several days ago) quite a few pin-head size black bugs. They are round and resemble beetles. I don't believe they are mites. I looked through the pest link sticky but none of those described (scanning) sounded like these guys.

Anyone have any ideas? This plant is not potted in any media, rather its roots are clinging to the sides of the clay pot it's in. I imagine I need to get Bayer 3-1 but does anyone have any idea what these are, how bad they are, any other treatment ideas?

Thanks

[lotis146]

I found this picture online, it's not my plant but this is what they look like. Mine all appear to be the bigger size and all uniform

[lotis146]

To make matters worse, the Tolumnia lucayana I just got today I just noticed has VERY tiny grayish bugs crawling rapidly on the pot. These are bigger than the springtails I had on Phal and I assume them to be mites.

[RandomGemini]

No idea what these could be, but I imagine the Bayer stuff will kill both types.

[reliablefool]

Did anyone ever figure out what these are? I just found them on one of my plants. Any advice on getting rid of them? Lotis, did you end up using bayer and did it work?

[katrina]

Most likely soil mites. They aren't going to harm the plants...they feed on decaying matter and fungi in the soil/medium.

If the plant hasn't been repotted in awhile then they could be a sign that it's time to go ahead and get the plant into some fresh media but other than that...not a big deal. Like Springtails...they are a normal part of a healthy eco-system and it's going to be very difficult to completely eradicate them...especially if your plants go outside during the warmer months.