Please I need help!!

[jbcamel]

I have bugs and I don't know what they are.

I see them in the dish under the pot when I lift it. They are extremely small. They do not fly or jump. I looked at them through a magnifying glass and they are dark with antennae on their heads. The body is long and thin. They can't be more than 1/16" long.

I cannot see them or any damage on the leaves or flowers. I looked at the top of the potting medium with the magnifying glass and can't see anything.

Yesterday I saw them in only one plant. This morning there were dozens in the dish of this plant and a few in the dish of another.

Can this be thrips? The dark bodies make me think they aren't but I just cannot figure out what they are.

What should I do?

[Scruffy]

A photo would really help- Thrips wouldn't fit the description you're giving.

[jbcamel]

I thought of that but I think they are too small for me to photo. Even with the magnifier I could barely make out any details.

[dave b]

Though you say they dont jump, it sounds like a spring tail (there are different types). I have found a lot of the globular form in my media mixes over the past year. They have fatter bodies, and are dark in color. Look like black pepper crawling around. I also have found the longer form that you may be seeing. Typically a silver-gray color, thinner, very small (up to 1.0 mm) and found under pots and in mix. You really want to see them, go out with a flashlight at night, and inspect your pots and mixes.

Most feed on the decomposing media, but may feed on roots. Ive been working on them by repotting, and treating with my home brew insecticide (water, alcohol, dish soap). I dont use stronger chemicals. It has helped, but i know they are still there.