Help me identify this pest!

[sunlightsolace]

Hi! I am new to organic gardening and have noticed as the warm weather is here I have a new pest! These are tiny tiny tiny little brownish/reddish insects (they look like mites) living underneath the soil at the base of my strawberry plants. I have not seen any insects underneath the leaves or on the stems (only underneath the soil). When I stir the soil up they crawl out frantically (and one even up the stem of the plant) and then crawl back underneath. I have not noticed any damage to my strawberry plant except for one or 2 leaves in the past few weeks that have turned purple/red and died. What are these things, how bad are they (there are dozens), and how can I get rid of them organically?! Thanks!

[applestar]

They might be tiny, but the fact that they are big enough to see may mean they are red velvet mite nymphs, which are predators and beneficial. I just recently posted a photo of the beautiful adult in its thread a little way down this forum. Where are you located?