Question
I have a money plant and my house mate has another succulent and both plants have little white mites crawling around in the soil but they do not appear to be on the eaves.
Please could you tell me what the mites are and how to get rid of them?
Will the mites spread to our other houseplants (yuccas and spider plants etc...)
Thank you

Answer
Katie,

I suspect that the mites are young fungus gnats. Do they fly at all? If so they are there cleaning up the soil of rotten roots due to the plants being overwatered. They will only spread to other overwatered plants whose roots are beginning to rot. Cut back on watering immediately. Remove the drain trays of the affected plants and set them in the sink for several hours to drain off as much water as possible to dry them out as quickkly as possible. Empty the drain trays of all your plants an hour after watering so they are not sitting in water and the roots are less likely to rot. Pick up some bamboo skewers at the grocery and insert them in the soil of the plants then do not water until they come out dry. Plants should not be constantly wet. They need to dry out between waterings so the roots have a chance to breath. Wait to water until the skewer is dry and the plant will be healthier. The roots will heal and regrow and the insects will dissapear. You can water the plant with rubbing alcohol mixed 50/50 with water next time the plants with insects are dry. and the alcohol will kill the insects. If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene