Juniper tar looking material and bugs

[Tidal Bonsai]

This juniper has been getting weaker and weaker as of late. I noticed a buildup of a tarry substance in the container and small brown bugs that have colonized. What can I do?

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Is this root rot and/or root aphids?

 

[Dav4]

Some of my trees have this on the soil surface... I suspect it's a form of algae, and I'll usually see this with pots with solid organic feed on the surface and being watered a lot/ staying a bit too wet. Not sure about the bugs but suspect they're digging the moisture, too.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Some of my trees have this on the soil surface... I suspect it's a form of algae, and I'll usually see this with pots with solid organic feed on the surface and being watered a lot/ staying a bit too wet. Not sure about the bugs but suspect they're digging the moisture, too.

I think the black may be a buildup of algae, here are the bugs.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Looks like dead algae sludge to me too.
But just to be sure, it might be wise to ensure you can exclude rust.

Edit: those bugs look like gnat larvae or other (possibly!) root eating worms.

 

[sorce]

Dead algae sure.
Mine is on top of dead moss....
Lifted up regularly shows its not effecting the bark.

I found a pic that looks like that bug as a lacewing larvae.

Look for aphids.

Neither of these seem the problem...

Sorce