Tiny, shiny, evil root buggers! ID help!

[theloyalplum]

So, I've been having a problem of sorts recently. Ever since I got my last order, my windowsill has become filled with these tiny, shiny, evil (yet to be determined, but guilty until proven innocent) root buggers. I grow inside, so everything is sanitized and quarantined before being sent into general population, but somehow ALL my orchids have become home to the little things! A little more on the buggers, they are quick and like to stay in the root zone and media (bark and sphag mostly). From what I've seen, they've not done great damage like scales and mealy's do... yet. They're fast, orange-black and don't mind humidity so maybe not spider mites.

tl;dr:
What are they?
Are they friend or foe?
What is the best way to control them?
Photo's linked below!




Help, please! For the sake of the 'chids!

[RNCollins]

Do they come out of the media when you water or soak your orchids? It sounds like they may be springtails. Google them to see what they look like. If that is what they are, they are harmless to the orchid. They feed on decomposing media. The easiest thing to do is change the media.

[SFLguy]

Originally Posted by RNCollins

Do they come out of the media when you water or soak your orchids? It sounds like they may be springtails. Google them to see what they look like. If that is what they are, they are harmless to the orchid. They feed on decomposing media. The easiest thing to do is change the media.

No, the pictures show some kind of small beetle like bug, these aren't springtails

[wintergirl]

There is a thread where someone else had the same problem. Katrina thought they were soil mites.

Small black beetle like bugs?

[theloyalplum]

That's what I was thinking, but one can never be too sure. Bugs in general make me slightly paranoid! Any recommendations for what to do?

[wintergirl]

Here is a great page about these guys. Since they thrive in decomposing material, you might change your media. Then maybe peroxide spay to the roots before repotting. I have not had these so it's only a guess. It doesn't sound like they will hurt your plant.

oribatid mite