This one was in Texas... everything is bigger in Texas. She was about 3/8 of an inch long. Believe it or not, this is a Sony point and shoot. I bought it specifically for the super macro feature. I think it focuses down to about 1cm. ~james

Go to the sialis web site. They have info on mites. That diotomaceous earth is totally non toxic. Nevermind here it is. Mites are uncommon in bluebird nests, but are common in Tree Swallows (TRES) nests. Providing TRES with clean feathers for nesting can prevent mite infestations. This is probably unrealistic for large trails. In that case, try replacing the nest; or use a low-level (0.03 - 0.1%) of pyrethrin pesticide, under the nest (as a toxin, this is considered a last resort.) 1/4 teaspoon of all natural food grade (not swimming pool) diatomaceous earth underneath the nest might help - it dries mites out. Put it in a plastic bottle with a very small opening so you can squeeze it out - it comes out in a cloud of dust. If there are nestlings that are too young to move, place your hand or a paper towel over them during dusting. Cathy

Bernard- I just finished trying Andy's method for pest control. The bayer tree and shrub $19.99 at home depot. 2 tablespoons in an empty gallon of Milk. When I used it I was amazed at what came out of several clusters of my arboreal aeoniums! I saw about a half dozen of these bugs and they were several inches long. I don't think these particular insects are harmful to succulents, probably just setting up a home base. I do believe though that one insect always attracts another and another...so I think you're being pro-active was a good thing. I haven't heard of boiling soil before. What I do is microwave batches of soil for 2 minutes in a large bowl (large enough to hold 1lb of cooked pasta generously), prep or amend the soil and then ready for use to plant. The biggest threats to succulents as far as insects go would be Scale and Mealy bugs which, I told you previously that I had an infestation. I saw scale recently toward the bottom of one of my favorite cacti, the U. Pectinifera. I was instructed to mix some warm water, a few drops of dish-washing liquid a couple drops of 70% isopropyl alcohol and a few sprays of neem oil. I used a soft-bristle tooth brush with the solution to gently scrub off the scale. (also, I used cactus-safe gardening gloves). I let my poor little cactus dry out for a few hours and placed him back in his container. Then, I watered with the Bayer insecticide. It has only been 2 days so, time will tell if I managed to save it. The U. pectinifera is not an uncommon cactus although, it is not commonly seen at the nurseries I frequent. It is also not expensive yet not cheap either. Regardless, I would try to save even the smallest sedum from these bugs. When It comes to my plants, money is no object. I just want to make sure I can keep them as pest-free as possible, especially scale and mealy bugs before I go after the more expensive, rare types. What is amazing to me is a lot of the advice I've gotten about it from others in this area. "Just dab it off with alcohol," or "spray it with a hose." I don't have the luxury of time to dab alcohol on several hundred plants. So, that option was out. My succulents are not planted in ground, so the hose option was out too. Another piece of advice I was given: "if it's really bad just discard the plant." Well, if it truly is that bad, of course you have to discard the plant. #1 it could affect other plants and #2 there would be no saving the plant so keeping a plant around that's turning into mush would do no good. I guess what bothers me is the attitude of "just get another one and try again." That's not an easy thing to hear when you've grown a plant and nurtured it for a long time. I can't be the only crackpot who has bonded with their plants(?) I've had my blue cactus for 3 years and watched it grow and now it's coating is ruined. I have neighbors who've had certain cactus for 20+ years. You can't just simply tell them to "replace it." Being a cactus and succulent lover, I guess my braid goes into over-drive and I notice every detail of the plant and it's surroundings. I have seen large infestations of scale and mealybugs in several of the plants outside of malls and other places including public parks and private residences. It seems that nothing is done to halt or prevent it. Cactus and succulents are not weeds, they're plants that are highly coveted so, why would anyone be so neglectful in their care. Maybe if others in my area read this they would comment on the public infestation, But please, try to post it in a new thread! (Bernard hates de-railed threads and I don't want to face his wrath!) (sorry Bernard, don't hate me: ) ).

That is not spider mite webbing. And the mites themselves are so tiny they cannot be seen with the naked eye.....unless you knock then off onto a sheet of white paper (they will show up as microscopic specks of dust :-)). If you suspect mites, the best thing you can do is treat your plants to a thorough shower.....in the sink, in the shower or outside with a hose if a large plant. Mites hate moisture and humidity and maintaining the humidity at an adequately high level - always a challenge with indoor houseplants - will go a long way in discouraging them. Just make sure you are very thorough - top and bottom of all the foliage and down into the stems. I don't find insecticidal soap all that effective against either the mites or the mealies and would prefer to use neem oil for this purpose. But if you do opt for the soap, I would use a proper prepared horticultural insecticidal soap, not something made from household ingredients. They are not at all the same.