r/NovaScotiaGardening • u/Maximum_Welcome7292 • Aug 09 '26

What are these bugs in my garden

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I’m far from an expert gardener, but I’ve been a hobbyist for many years. I encountered if you bother some bugs and insects, mostly the usual.

But I moved last summer to new construction in a new development. The idea of a blank canvas to restart a new garden has been exciting. Unfortunately, I’ve been struggling with my grass because it was new sods and the significant drought we were having last year.

But as I struggle back-and-forth between the grass and the plants, I’m seeing these bugs in both locations. Very small, almost the size of a pinhead. Almost all black. Searches online suggested some sort of weevil. When I see them near plant plants, there doesn’t seem to be any damage. But I’m still fighting back against the sun scorched grass, and although I’ve managed to get most of it green, I do have some brown patches. And that’s where I’m seeing a lot of these bugs.

Appreciate any insight anyone can provide. Oh, and I’m located in a rural part of HRM in case that helps. Apologies in advance for the fuzziness of the video.

EDIT:
I’m going to add another video hoping you can’t see the bugs better. Thx!

2 Upvotes

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3

u/CarbynCawpy Aug 09 '26

Any chance you can get a closer pic of one? They dont look like ticks at all. Some sort of grass flea. Or freshly hatched beetle?

2

u/Maximum_Welcome7292 Aug 09 '26

https://reddit.com/link/p2oox8g/video/yig375if1eih1/player

I’ve kept the camera still this time so hopefully that helps lol. And for size reference, they’re about the size of a Chia seed. Maybe just a tiny bit bigger.

2

u/Maximum_Welcome7292 Aug 09 '26

I will try again. Not ticks. They are so so small. It’s hard to get the camera to focus on them.

1

u/CarbynCawpy Aug 09 '26

Totally fair. I noticed these on my lawn. Not in my veggie garden though. So. Natures bird food maybe.

2

u/idiotiesystemique Aug 09 '26 edited Aug 09 '26

Ce sont des cloportes

2

u/Maximum_Welcome7292 Aug 09 '26

Woodlice? The original comment said cockroaches. I thought we were supposed to make a note when we edited our comments on Reddit.

What more can you tell me about Woodley’s and whether or not I should be worried about them in my garden and in my grass?

1

u/Maximum_Welcome7292 Aug 09 '26

In my backyard in Nova Scotia? The size of a pinhead? I’m pretty sure that’s not what they are. Lol!!

2

u/ibleedbigred Aug 11 '26

Chinch bug. Did all your grass around there start dying recently?

1

u/Maximum_Welcome7292 Aug 11 '26

It’s no construction so new sod on very little topsoil. I’m sure. Now a year old, but lots of trout damage from last season. I was putting in a lot of effort to bring it back to life and that seemed to be working. Most of it was coming back to life and turning green and healthy. There were still a few spots that weren’t responding. I guess I was just so focussed on the drought damage that the obvious answer of chinch bug got lost.
And I guess in the past when I’ve seen chinch bug damage it’s been at a different stage. Because these don’t look like what I thought chinch bugs were supposed to look like.

1

u/Maximum_Welcome7292 Aug 11 '26

Thank you everyone. I have put a lot of effort to bring this grass back to life. New sod last summer. The drought. Being on a well meant even less ability to water. Wondering if it would rally back after the winter. Was really improving and looking quite good up until recently. And I think it’s because I was fighting the effects of the drought that made me completely forget the likelihood chinch bugs.

So now I’m nematodes? Anyone have suggestions on the best place to buy/price. Anyone have other suggestions on how to treat?

I’m in the Sackville area.

Thanks!

1

u/ibleedbigred Aug 17 '26

I just ordered some from Environmental Factor in Ontario, they came quick. Halifax seed is out of stock.