Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I have a somewhat bizarre situation.
I live in Toronto (Canada) and got an indoor palm tree a few months ago. Recently, I noticed a pest that was not only on the palm itself, but also on the wall next to it, on the window, and on the blinds and even a few on a lamp and the floor!

The pest is small (1mm), round, dark red, with a  hard shell). I could not see any identifuable body parts, but I assume it is a pest becase it managed to move all over the walls etc. I think there were a hundred of them or so. Most of them were very hard to remove (had to use nails or sponge, and they leave a dark red spot!

There were more of them on the wall then on the tree i think! I goggled it and thought maybe it's scale,(although I didn't notice any stickiness and they are smaller than what I think scale is) so I removed the tree outside (I plan on throwing it out) and spent a lot of time washing the pest off the walls and window with a mixture of water and alcohol.

My question is - what are those things?! Why did they go all over the wall? Now that I washed the wall, can they be back even without the tree??

Thanks you,

Emma

ANSWER: Emma:
Did these objects move AFTER they were seen stuck to the wall?  If not, these things may be the result of a fungus growing on the soil surface of the pot.  Take a few minutes to go to "Google Images" website on your computer and search for pictures of "Artillery Fungus" (Sphaerobolus)see the dark specks that stick on various surfaces.  See if this matches your inquiry.  If it is, these dark things are coming from the soil surface. Simply lay something over the soil surface like Spanish moss or pine cones to cover the soil to serve as a barrier, but let air and water through.

Let me know if this is what you are experiencing.

Regards

Steve

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you!
I don't think the objects moved, and it does look like what I have is that fungus. However, I don't think I want to risk getting this plant back in the house, I am very allergic, and don't want that fungus around me...Would you recommend spraying/washing the wall with something to avoid the fungus appearing again? I did try to remove all the dots, but if I missed some, could they reappear??

Thank you so much for solving this mystery!

Emma


Answer
Emma:
I am not aware of these things causing an allergy- just a nusiance when they are unsightly.  As I mentioned, they are originating from the soil surface.  To prevent further deposition, you must attack the problem at the source- the soil. The fungus grows on the surface of the soil and these "dots" are blasted into the air and stick on surrrounding surfaces. You can consider replacing the soil or the plant and soil both.

Steve