Bugs in the Soil
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Dr James Goetz
Posted on: June 29, 2008

Currently the herbs we have are on a second story in pots being nurtured to plant outside in the garden.

I noticed very small insects (looking like spiders) in the soil. How can I naturally rid the soil of these small insects?

If they really are baby spiders, I would leave them, since they would rid you of any other insect that dared to invade your plant nursery. However if they are spider MITES, you should try to get rid of them pronto. Spider mites leave a silvery sheen on the plants they suck from, the silver being all those tiny holes they made in the plants. Some species also spin tiny webs that are found all over the surface of the affected leaves. Dust the surface of the soil with diatomaceous earth and spray the plants with dishwash detergent at the rate of 1-2 teaspoons of detergent per litre (quart) of water. Repeat spray every 8 hours for a minimum of 3 sprays.

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