Question
QUESTION: I am noticing that most of my house plants have clumps of little yellow balls in the soil.  They are not on the leaves only in the soil and seem to look kind of fuzzy.  These balls are very small.  I have been watching for insects and have not seen any signs.  I try to be very careful not to over water, I am wondering if you can help on what these may be and how to get rid of them.

Jill
ANSWER: Jill,

I suspect the yellow balls are either mealy bugs in the soil or eggs of mealy bugs. I would water the plants with straight rubbing alcohol. Do not dilute it. If they are insects it will kill the insects on contact and not hurt the plants. Repeat it weekly for a couple of weeks to kill any additional eggs that hatch. There is a small chance they could be some kind of weed seeds but I really suspect they are mealy bugs. Good luck.

Darlene

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

QUESTION: They really don't seem to be any type of bug, it looks more like a mold or fungus.  Can I send you a picture somehow??

Answer
Jill,

Yes, you can send me a picture to [email protected]

Mealy bugs really don't look like an insect, no legs, just a soft little yellow body surrounded at times with what looks like cotton ball fuzz but is really their eggs. Send the picture and I will let you know what I think.

Darlene