Help my soils got nits

nin

When hand weeding my veg patch on the weekend i noticed minute grey insects with no wings that look just like nits all over the garden as i disturbed the soil.

These are a big problem as they make my head itch as they look like nits; scratching now thinking about them .

I have fir trees near by and last year had a few leaf miners could either of these be associated.

 

Any body got any ideas as to what they are and how i exterminate them would be great

 

 

nin

I meant to say these insects are tiny and i cant get a picture on the soil if you try to catch them they jump but they dont have wings if this helps

Tootles

I think I know what you mean nIn. Teeny tiny little jumpy things? When I used to live in blackheath I had them in the shady areas of the beds..... someone told me they were garden fleas! I didn't ever get bitten but agree that the thought of them makes me feel a bit itchy!

Ynnead

These are probably springtails. Harmless to people and eat decaying plant matter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Springtail

nin

Thanks Ynnead yes i think they are spring tails.

Edd, i found your comment a bit rude. My way of thinking is fine, have handled more invertebrates, rodents insects, mammals and weird and wonderfuls than most people have had hot dinners. I grew up in a zoo, give me a tank of scorpions, millipeads etc  any day and i am fine . It still dosen,t stop me itching when i see or think about  knits.

 

nutcutlet

Nin, I can remember a lecture on lice, fleas etc during my nursing training, 50 nurses sitting scratching 

Irrelevant, but might come in handy at a pub quiz, nits are the eggs of lice, stuck to hair and unmoving, they don't cause the itching.

Lupin 1

Nin & Ynnead, I haven't seen you before on the forum so hello from me