Today I was repotting a Japanese maple and noticed tiny white bugs that looked like nits attached to the ends of some of the roots. It didn't look like the classic picture of root aphids as there was no white fuzzy stuff to be seen. I do also occasionally tiny black insects with wings flying around the trees. Anyone have any suggestion as to what this might be?
Root bugs
- Thread starter Forestcat
- Start date
Shibui
Imperial Masterpiece
Without a look at the problem we would only be guessing. Photos are worth way more than the proverbial thousand words in cases like this.
Tiny black insects around pots is likely to be fungus gnats. The larvae are white maggots but are not usually attached to roots.
JM are not legumes so you can't be mistaking nitrogen nodules for pests.
I can't think of anything else that would be on JM roots.
Tiny black insects around pots is likely to be fungus gnats. The larvae are white maggots but are not usually attached to roots.
JM are not legumes so you can't be mistaking nitrogen nodules for pests.
I can't think of anything else that would be on JM roots.
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
When root aphids are prevalent, they crap out sugars that feed fungi and those fungi produce white fuzz around the aphids - but a lot of things can prevent those fungi from thriving. If the root aphids are in their explorative and almost dormant phase, they can look white or lightly greenish with some transparency.
Salvarez
Mame
I have the same issue with a Black Pine and also a small Bald Cypress seedling few weeks ago. I wonder if anyone treats all their trees on a yearly maintenance plan for root aphids?
I am so freaked out that I want to do a systemic drench on EVERYTHING.
I am so freaked out that I want to do a systemic drench on EVERYTHING.
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
You don't have to. These suckers are not at all resistant to anything. My lightest insecticide killed them off with ease. One soak was enough for me.
Put some rotting logs next to your benches and predatory soil mites will turn up, they'll take care of the rest.
Salvarez
Mame
Cool solution about the logs. Did you do a drench of the insecticide or did you dunk in diluted solution?
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
I made a working solution, same thing as I would use for a spray. Then poured it out in a deep tray. That's where I dunked my pot into.
Because it's a contact insecticide, and not a systemic, I left the pot in the tray for a day, then let it drip out in the same tray so I didn't pollute the rest of my garden too much.
But I do have to note that most of the times, after a repot the root aphids never came back even without treating them.
Because it's a contact insecticide, and not a systemic, I left the pot in the tray for a day, then let it drip out in the same tray so I didn't pollute the rest of my garden too much.
But I do have to note that most of the times, after a repot the root aphids never came back even without treating them.
Salvarez
Mame
Can you elaborate about the tray…. I do not follow…
Wires_Guy_wires
Imperial Masterpiece
A bucket would work too. I have a couple plastic containers that are just larger than my pots, they're not buckets but low enough to be considered trays. Sorry for the confusion.
