Root aphids maybe?

[emrldthumb]

I've been trying to pin down why some of the lower fan leaves look prematurely splotchy, and the pH seems fine, nutrient levels should be OK. Then after watering tonight I noticed some nearly microscopic reddish things crawling around on the soil surface. They are tiny and fast so very hard to photograph even with a macro lens, but these were the two best photos I could grab.

I've been a soil grower for awhile and never encountered the dreaded root aphid, but this was the first time I've used some compost from my outdoor bin. Is it as I fear? What are the reasonable options for eradication or at least control?

View attachment 20150123000038_noexif.jpg

View attachment 20150123000043_noexif.jpg

 

[emrldthumb]

For an idea of scale, the white boulder next to it is perlite.

 

[MrCompletion]

Neem drench/flush should sort those buggers out.

 

[emrldthumb]

So I'm right that's what they are?

 

[MrCompletion]

I've never seen them that colour. But they resemble them. Either way. I'd be getting them dead.

"I love the smell of neem in the morning"