Are these spider mites, soil mites, aphids?

[DenverPerennialGardener]

Hi. I’m a residential landscaper specializing in naturalized perennial gardening in Denver.
Going to share a photo but also want to describe.
I buy my perennials from an outdoor nursery.
Just recently, I purchased some plants from the nursery- all different types - a grass, a little leaf hydrangea, and cat mint.
When I go to plant them, turn them upside down, the plant falls out quickly and the soil is unusually sandy - abnormally sandy, with lots of little white bugs/ eggs - and it’s not perlite.

The whole thing gives me major heebie jeebies.

First photo is of the potted catmint - there is perlite but that’s not what I’m talking about.

Second photo is of one little guy I picked out of the catmint.

Third photo is of Japanese Blood Grass that’s been soaking in water for a week.

Spider mites, soil mites, aphids… please tell. I’m planning to repot everything just to know - but this is my busy season and work is a plenty.

 

[GNick55]

you need better photos or google images of spider mites, soil mites, aphids,. etc,.. i’m guessing it’s gonna be soil mites,.
also if your planting outdoors, than there’s predator insects out there to eat those,..

 

[nomdeplume]

Hi. I’m a residential landscaper specializing in naturalized perennial gardening in Denver.
Going to share a photo but also want to describe.
I buy my perennials from an outdoor nursery.
Just recently, I purchased some plants from the nursery- all different types - a grass, a little leaf hydrangea, and cat mint.
When I go to plant them, turn them upside down, the plant falls out quickly and the soil is unusually sandy - abnormally sandy, with lots of little white bugs/ eggs - and it’s not perlite.

The whole thing gives me major heebie jeebies.

First photo is of the potted catmint - there is perlite but that’s not what I’m talking about.

Second photo is of one little guy I picked out of the catmint.

Third photo is of Japanese Blood Grass that’s been soaking in water for a week.

Spider mites, soil mites, aphids… please tell. I’m planning to repot everything just to know - but this is my busy season and work is a plenty.

I think those are aphids. I would use ladybugs. Or some type of horticultural oil for a quick knockdown. I use Suffoil-X because its been approved for use on cannabis in Colorado and Canada, so it's safe. It's a Horticulture mineral oil pre-emusified into small droplets so it's not phytotoxic. And then it doesn't matter what it is because it kills them all through suffocation. And bugs can't grow a tolerance to being suffocated.

 

[DenverPerennialGardener]

I think those are aphids. I would use ladybugs. Or some type of horticultural oil for a quick knockdown. I use Suffoil-X because its been approved for use on cannabis in Colorado and Canada, so it's safe. It's a Horticulture mineral oil pre-emusified into small droplets so it's not phytotoxic. And then it doesn't matter what it is because it kills them all through suffocation. And bugs can't grow a tolerance to being suffocated.

I agree! Been thinking and have found mature aphids. I found one ladybug on a nearby wisteria while planting at the site.
I’m going to bring my neem oil today and stop for some ladybugs!

 

[mancorn]

Cat mint is a two-spotted spider mite magnet. Cats like it, roll around and spread mites. Highly unlikely it’s what you’re seeing with the naked eye, but not a good plant around cannabis. I’ve tried to remove it throughout my yard.

 

[DenverPerennialGardener]

Cat mint is a two-spotted spider mite magnet. Cats like it, roll around and spread mites. Highly unlikely it’s what you’re seeing with the naked eye, but not a good plant around cannabis. I’ve tried to remove it throughout my yard.

I’ve never had trouble with catmint - and these are the smaller cultivars, “Little Trudy” so they are easier to manage.
Definitely aphids on all plants.

 

[mancorn]

Don’t know the variety I have, so checked online and saw this picture on a commercial sales site. Looks just like mine - with a mite infestation.