Question
I recently acquired a flytrap and a cape sundew from an online retailer, both in pre-mixed pots. After allowing them to acclimate to the environment in my home, they are finally stable and appear to be doing well. However, in the water trays I'm using for them, I've been seeing numerous tiny, white worm-like creatures swimming about. I had originally thought they were some form of Nematode, but the way they swim has since led me to believe otherwise. They seem to be propelled through the water with little to no whipping motion and slightly shrink up when they hit an obstacle, kind of like a slug, they even sometimes appear to swim backwards. They are as thin as a hair and approximately 1 to 3 millimeters in length. I'm completely baffled as to what these things are and would greatly appreciate any input as to the possible danger of these creatures to my plants.

Answer
Hello Sean,

Since they are so small I would bet that they are difficult to identify. The worm like motion seems to indicate that they are indeed a wormlike critter of some type since mosquito larvae would move with a whipping motion as well. They might be planarians or some other tiny predator. If you are worried about them you can just rinse the trays out periodically, water from the top, and let the trays dry between waterings for a day or so.

Christopher