Soil mites - how are they dangerous for orchids?!

[chemist]

hello folks,
so I got few catts from grower in Hawaii. Healthy plants cant complain. No visible pests problems.

But on one I noticed few little bugs. first two I noticed I just squished without thinking first. but when I saw one the other day I collected it and brought to work to look under microscope and ask our entomologist to identify it (Happy we have one in the lab!).

So he looked... First word was mite (you can imagine what went through my mind!), then he added spider mite... That's what I needed after thrips this winter! than he said no its not spider mite. He looked more in microscope and than in books and online, said dust mite but then crossed it out. He could not fully identify it but said its definitely not spider mite -what a relief!!!


so later on I searched web pictures for mites to see if I can find one that looks similar and I did find one:

Soil Mite - Euzetes

So, does anyone know how they affect orchids? Do they do damage?
Should I try to get rid of them?

[chingjervis]

Why lucky you have a lab and entomologist at your disposal!!! I really envy you!!!

I really don't have an idea nor knowledge on this, but would really like to know.

PAGING OUR LOVELY AND BEAUTIFUL, HANDSOME AND DASHING MEMBERS...in short ALL MEMBERS pour forth thy knowledge unto us.

[chemist]

Jervis, lab where i work is food testing lab and we do a lot of analysis for FDA submission and one of department is called food forensic, they look for all sort of unnatural stuff in food (mostly rice and spices). For that reason we have our own entomologist and yes I am very happy and lucky we have him!

So i was Googling those soil mites and there is not that much info on them!!!

On other orchid forum someone posted similar question and one of answer was that they dont do harm to orchid (but its not researched) but do eat algae that grows on roots and are not considered pests. There also was a link to american orchid society's website where they discuss spider mites and mention little bit this ones. Here is the link to that page Mites I

[ksriramkumar]

These look like mites you find on pets (dogs and cats sometimes). I would spray insecticidal soap + rubbing alcohol and get rid of them.

[Bambo]

Hello! Could those be oribatid mites? I have those on some of my plants, the do not harm the plant but could indicate there is some problem with the media or too much rotten roots. You can catch those guys by putting thin slice of cucumber in the pot at the evening. Then in the morning just turn the slice around and you will see all kinds of bugs that lives in your orchid pot.

[Traci]

Jervis you make me laugh! I look forward to your posts. I wish I had some info on the mite but it does look like a tick like Sriram said.

[chemist]

Bambo, after
Giving entomologist tip that that it could be soil mites and aribatid he did confirm its that kind!
I will do your suggestions, just had to get cucumber )
I read somewhere someone uses potato? Not sure for those guys or other. After it finish bloom i will repot it.

[Jx3]

Ive had these in my pots for years with no ill effects. Sometimes if you lift a pot they will be on the shelf under it, also when i water i tend to see them climbing out of the media and onto the leaves of my plants. Ive never had an issue with them.

[chemist]

Thank you Jeromy!
I will worry less now

[Bambo]

I have never used potato but you can try it and tell us how it works!