Fungus gnats are small flies that infest soil, potting mix, other container media, and other sources of organic decomposition. Their larvae primarily feed on fungi and organic matter in soil, but also chew roots and can be a problem in greenhouses, nurseries, potted plants and interior plantscapes.
Fortunately, fungus gnats are easy in soil. Any minor insecticide, neem oil, and often just soapy sprayed water, will kill them. The larvae live on in the soil, so a mix of 1/4-1/5 household hydrogen peroxide (3%) to the rest water, and water the plant, will take care of those.
Soil mites are literally harmless, all they do is breakdown organic matter in your soil. If you have soil mites it's a good sign.
Carpet beetles measure just 1/16 to 1/8 inches long—about the size of a pinhead—and vary in color. 2 Some are black or dark enough to appear black when observed with the human eye. Others might be mottled, with spots of brown and black on a lighter background.
Flies Often Called Black Gnats
In addition to black gnats, people also refer to biting midges as no-see-ums, sand flies, or punkies. These pests may look like just a dark speck to the naked eye, but their bites create a noticeable burning sensation. Biting midges may leave behind itchy welts on skin.
You would make a solution by combining neem oil with some warm water and soap then covering the plant with it. Using this on a weekly basis should remove the soil mites from your plant. Similar to neem oil, you could use a combination of water and hydrogen peroxide.
Here are a few tips for identifying soil mites: Look for small, brown, or black insects that have six legs and are about one-eighth of an inch long. If the soil is dry, mites may be seen crawling around on the surface. Check for fecal matter or eggs on the creature's body.
Thrips are tiny insects that can be clear to black in color and resemble seeds that are only 1/20 of an inch long.
Which tiny black bug looks like a speck of pepper? If tiny black specs appear in your food products, such as flour or dried oats, they are most likely weevils.
With all that in mind, the EPA says that hydrogen peroxide in low doses is indeed safe for plants. The caveat is of course, in the concentration. Too much can damage plants.
Many indoor gardeners use peat-lite mixtures, consisting of peat moss and either perlite or vermiculite. In more recent years, coconut coir (or coco coir) has become a popular, lower cost, and more sustainable alternative to peat moss. These soilless media are sterile, lightweight and easy to handle.
Over-watering and poor drainage can cause root rot and encourage fungus gnats as well as other pest issues.
The mixture should contain a few drops of dish soap, a tablespoon of vinegar, and baking soda per cup of water. A few sprays of this mixture is an effective gnat repellent. They may be sprayed in areas where gnats are commonly seen, such as around plants, in the bathrooms, etc.
Appearance of Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius L.)
Adult bed bugs, in general, are: about the size of an apple seed (5-7 mm or 3/16 - 1/4 inch long); long and brown, with a flat, oval-shaped body (if not fed recently);
The furniture/carpet beetle (Anthrenus flavipes) is the most common of these bugs. This is a small beetle (usually just larger than a pin head) that is mostly oval in shape with a mixture of black and gray patches. It moves very slowly and rolls over when touched.
Fungus gnats are the party crashers of the soil, with fruit flies as their wingmen. Spot these pests by the tiny, dark flies loitering around the plant or soil. Cut off their water supply by letting the soil dry out, trap them with yellow sticky cards, or unleash beneficial nematodes like microscopic bouncers.
Hydrogen peroxide and water – Add some hydrogen peroxide to water to create a weak solution to spray over your soil. This has disinfecting properties and can help kill mites and their dormant larvae.
Soil mites come in many different shapes and sizes, ranging from less than 0.2 mm to over 2 mm in length. They have eight legs and a soft body covered in fine hairs, which help them move through soil and cling to surfaces.
Cinnamon repels various insects and acts as a natural antifungal treatment for plants. Use cinnamon sticks, powder, or essential oil to create a barrier or apply directly to soil. Cinnamon's scent, texture, and compounds can deter insects, promote plant growth, and prevent infestations.
Ticks are tiny black or brown parasites that look like poppy seeds, especially before feeding. Before feeding, ticks are minuscule and flat, and they are easily mistaken for poppy seeds based on their dark brown or black appearance. They can also look like bed bugs at first glance because of their size and shape.
Naturally derived miticidal sprays like neem oil, pyrethrins, azadirachtin and horticultural oil can be sprayed directly onto adult mites, larvae, nymphs and eggs to kill on contact.