Trouble identifying and getting rid of a persistent insect

6 years ago

So I have been trying to identify a very tiny (maybe a Millimeter in length) bug that has been plaguing my houseplants for a while now, that I though I got rid of but they have recently re-emerged and was wondering if anyone could help. I believe they suck the sap of the plant because the first sign of them being on a plant is wilting leaves even when the plant has been watered.

I've tried several commercial indoor insecticides,diluted dish soap, diluted Neem oil, even tried pulling off a dying leaf and spraying them with 2% bleach that only seemed to daze them. So far the only thing that has been any type of effective is washing every leaf thoroughly and spraying the leaves and soil with some chilly infused insecticide but even then they seem to show up again sooner or later. I also tried uprooting my Monstera that was infested with them, washing it down to its roots, re-potting it in a new pot with fresh soil, completely isolating it and even that hasn't worked. Maybe the soil I use contains them so I'm gonna be switching to a different soil in the future.

I live in Western Europe if that is of any help.

If anyone can help I'd be overjoyed.

Thank You in advance.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

PRO
User
6 years ago
They are possibly springtails.
Jānis Ošis
Original Author
6 years ago
They could possibly be springtails but I've never seen them jump or move quickly when disturbed, also from what I've read springtails are supposed to be a soil dwelling insect that feeds on roots but these things live and feed on leaves, every time they have been more than a few on a leaf, that leaf has an almost instant decline in health (wilting, browning, small spots). The Monstera that I discovered them on first was completely devoured by them, anywhere they had a small colony the leaf just started browning from that spot.
Related Professionals
Rolla Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Dallas Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Aberdeen Landscape Contractors · Raleigh Landscape Contractors · Johnson City Landscape Contractors · Gloucester Landscape Contractors · Salt Lake City Landscape Contractors · Rome Interior Designers & Decorators · Rolla Interior Designers & Decorators · Alpena Interior Designers & Decorators · Zanesville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Dubuque Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Chula Vista Landscape Contractors · Superior Tile and Stone Contractors · Clearlake Tile and Stone Contractors
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
6 years ago
Looks like thrip nymphs to me. Same for the damage.
Jānis Ošis thanked rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
Jānis Ošis
Original Author
6 years ago
Oh s*** you might be right, does that mean they are gonna grow up and start flying around?
petrushka (7b)
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
yep, I also think these are thrips. the warmer it is the shorter the maturing cycle. they are very hard to get rid of: only systemic insecticide in combo with surface spraying will work. but overtime they get used to that and might resurface. there is a type called greenhouse thrips: they are obviously quite common in greenhouse nurseries and very hard to get rid of completely. the earlier you catch the infestation the higher the chances that you can be rid of them. they are very sluggish flyers, similar to gnats. but they will spread to different rooms too.
Jānis Ošis thanked petrushka (7b)