Help! These tiny white specks have legs, which I can see now that I have blown the pic up Are these mites? they don't seem to be moving so maybe they are dead mites??? And now the semp is diseased! This is happening to several of my potted semps. What can I do?

I don't l know what they are, but Eeeek!

No expert here but I think aphids, might try a bit of soapy spray. Let is what the others say. Seems Greg had bugs once and used a solution of rubbing alcohol.
@valleylynn @ggs @jungleshadows
I don't think that 2nd semp is dead.

I wondered if they were aphid but I never noticed any lives ones - assuming these are dead ones?

Think they would come off with a soft tooth brush?

They brushed right off. I think they were aphid nymphs. What would you do w/ the semp in the third pic? It's the worst.

Patty,

Semps are tough, I'll bet it will recover. If it's one of which you have many plants, just pitch it.

Just back in from the yard. GORGEOUS day here in Oregon and the seedlings are starting to color up nicely.

Kevin

Whew! Was afraid this might spread! Yes, beautuful day here. What a difference a few days of SUN make in the semps.

I agree with the others, they should be fine once they dry out and get healthier. The aphids are drawn to the ones that are struggling. If it is just a few plants I would use q-tips and alcohol. Or even make a spray bottle of alcohol and lightly spray them.

I also had this, and it only develops when they don't have rain, because rain washes those little creatures off, and when they are rained off, they mostly die. When you don't let them be rained, they will first stop growing and then die

I usually get some aphids on the nearby rose bush - but this year they went for the semps. You're right, the rain or hose wash them away