Yossu Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 As I was moving some of my plants out into the cold today, I noticed that one of the water trays had quite a few very small insects swimming around at the surface of the water. They were about 1mm long and white. Due to only having a basic point and click camera, I didn't bother trying to take a picture of them, as it's extremely unlikely it would come out clearly enough. I threw out the water and washed the tray before bringing it back in, but knowing how resilient most of these little critters are, I doubt that will have got rid of them completely. I can't see any on the plants, but as they are so small, they could be hiding somewhere. Anyone know what they are, and if they are a problem? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incursion Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Depends on exactly what they look like, they could be mosquito larvae if its from rainwater from a water butt or something similiar. But could equally be something else. I get springtails quite often in my soil (ping's seem to love them as they bounce around. Have a look at the two links and see if they're anything like what you have. Mosquito larvae - Springtail: I've even had nemotodes swimming around in the water I've used before. Hence why its always recommended to wash your hands regularly after handling stagnant water Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Star Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 I often get Daphnia (a small aquatic crustacean) swimming in my water trays. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted November 12, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Thanks to both of your for your replies. I'm not sure they look like either of those pictures, but as it happens, I can't see any now, so it may be I did get rid of them. If I see any more, I'll try and have a closer look. Might see if I can fish one out and get a pic. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommyr Posted November 15, 2015 Report Share Posted November 15, 2015 Get some BT. I use "Mosquito Dunks" here in America. I put a tiny piece in my water trays. It kills larvae. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CephFan Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Do they look like small animated baked beans? If so they are possibly ostracods. Small crustaceans that cause no ill effects that I can see. Decades ago I did a PhD on them so I always welcome them when they appear! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Do they look like small animated baked beans? Can't say that was my first impression! However, the thought is quite amusing... If so they are possibly ostracods. Small crustaceans that cause no ill effects that I can see. Decades ago I did a PhD on them so I always welcome them when they appear! Odd what people do Phds on, eh? I did one on a really pointless and obscure bit of pure mathematics. Gives me the willys when I look at it now! Anyway, I did a search on ostracods, and I can see what you mean about looking like baked beans! However, that wasn't what I saw. Glad to say that whatever I saw seems to have gone on its holidays, as I haven't seen any more. Thanks for the reply. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deltatango301 Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 I don't know if I have done right, but I read if you put olive oil In the top of the water butt that stops mosquitos laying eggs My water butt is covered as well not seen any mosquitos this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted November 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 I don't know if I have done right, but I read if you put olive oil In the top of the water butt that stops mosquitos laying eggs My water butt is covered as well not seen any mosquitos this year Thanks, but this is in a water tray, so if I put oil on the water, it would prevent any evaporating, and reduce the humidity. Good idea for a separate water supply though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FredG Posted November 19, 2015 Report Share Posted November 19, 2015 Prevent midges laying? They're food for the plants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incursion Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 I agree with Fred, nowt wrong with free food from your water supplies for your plants, especially if in a greenhouse where its often closed for majority parts of the day during early or late season due to weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blocky71 Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 But then you become food for them when you go to view your plants ! I get a lot of mosquito larvae, probably more so as the plants/ trays have been outside all year. When I can be arsed I tip the tray water out through a net and collect the larvae, a quick rinse then pop them in my fish tank, the fish go crazy for them. I also allow daphnia to flourish in my water but and trays for same reason, they are also excellent algae eaters and can turn green water clear again in a day or two... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blocky71 Posted November 21, 2015 Report Share Posted November 21, 2015 (edited) Oops, double posted, delete this please. Edited November 21, 2015 by Blocky71 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted November 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 I managed to get a photo of them, although it's a little blurred, due to them being pretty small, and me only having a point-and-click camera. Does this help identify them... Thanks again to all who replied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acheta Posted November 22, 2015 Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 They look like springtails, which are nothing to be concerned about. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted November 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2015 They look like springtails, which are nothing to be concerned about. If I could hit the "Like" button twice I would! Once for the info and once for the link to the book advertised under that video. Although I don't have a Kindle, so can't buy the book, it set me off thinking about growing my own springtails, which the turtles would enjoy. If I can catch any, I could feed some to the CPs as well! Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris from KY Posted August 1, 2021 Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 Fungus gnat larvae? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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