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How To Get Rid Of Soil Mites

If you've seen tiny white bugs in the dirt around your grass, flowers, and shrubs, then you've got dirt mites! White soil mites are some of the common insects living in the top layer of the soil. While they may not be dangerous to plants, they pose a danger to humans, particularly if they invade your indoor potted plants. It is important to deal with these pests as soon as you notice them in your garden. We ought to remove the soil from our garden and the soil from the pots we use for the home garden. First of all, we need to identify them and try to kill soil mite to make the soil more fertile. The information in this article is going to give you the information you need to get rid of the soil mites.

white soil mite


What Are Soil Mites? and why they are in soil?


Soil mites are like fungi, consume small dead insects, bacteria, dead plants, and small live insects. Oribatid mites tend to be widespread in wooded areas where they help to break down organic matter. These mites often make their way to the garden and container plants, since they are attracted by the scent of decaying organic matter such as leaves, mold, and moss. One of the best ways to get rid of soil mites is by extracting the rotting material from the container or garden to eliminate the mites. The most common type of soil mite living in the soil is the Oribatsid mite, which can grow up to an eighth of an inch in diameter and is widespread in the wooded forest.

Types of Soil Mites:


There are many types of soil mites, but four suborders are the most commonly found:


  • Oribatei: Soil mites behave like a little turtle, especially like they have a shell in their backs, so they are sometimes called 'turtle mites.' In general, they don't expand more than one millimeter, so you need to use a microscope to see them.
  • Mesostigmata: the mesostigmatid mites - are mostly predators feeding on other small animals.
  • Prostigmata: prostigmatid mites - is a suborder of many mites who all feed differently.
  • Astigmata: astigmatid mites - are usually found in soils that are rich in nitrogen such as on farms.


Are Soil Mites Harmful?


Soil mites are disease-causing bacteria in indoor potted plants. They can even subject your loved ones to various diseases of the bacteria they bear. It's important to get rid of soil mites as soon as you notice them on your potted plant. Mites will even transmit the disease, causing worms, which is never a good thing.

How To Get Rid Of Soil Mites?


With time, white soil mites usually chase away. When their source of food runs out, these bugs won't stay on your plants for long. But, if you do not feel like waiting and want a quick solution, you should follow this getting rid of soil mite steps below.

Clean the old dirt from your Garden Soil:


Check your soil, if you see a little decaying in it, then filter it. Clean all the old frozen water, moss, and dirt from your house. Throw leaves from the frozen water on your roof.

Put fresh soil in the pot:


Soil Mites can make their homes in dead leaves. Remove dead leaves from plants. Re-potting with fresh soil will increase the chances of no soil mite.

Spray the Soil/Plants​


You need to spray after sifting the soil to kill any soil mites that may still be around you. You can use organic spray or you can use toxic pesticides as well. There are a few organic sprays that you can conveniently create at home. There is also a spray that can be used to keep soil atoms from returning.


  1. Soap for dishwashing. Mix 5 teaspoons of the dishwashing solvent with 1 gallon of water and apply it to the spray tank. You should spray this on the soil surrounding your plant every day before the mites are gone.
  2. Garlic's. Take between 4-5 cloves of garlic, gently crush and put in 1 gallon of water for 72 hours. Spray on the surface until the surface mites are out. Not approved for indoor use because you like the scent of garlic!
  3. Cinnamon: Mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 4 cups of water. Leave for about 24 hours and then pour 2 days a week on the soil of the infected farm. You can use cinnamon oil as well.


Now you know what to do to get rid Soil mites


Soil mites do not pose a risk to the soil or plants. It's a safer option to let them be on the plant instead of using toxic insecticides and other stuff like soap. Your plant and soil quality should still be a high priority.

Keep your garden free from filthy leaves and moss to avoid white soil mites away from your home. You don't have to do this every day, just do it daily.

See also How to control mites in your lawn