Question
I have a few potted plants on the window sill above my kitchen sink. spider plant, jade, and a orchid.  Recently, I found a lot of tiny bugs aroung the pots mostly on the bottom of the pots.  They're light in color.  Barely visible to the naked eye.  I only noticed them because they were crawling around.  Any idea what they are and how I can get rid of them?

Answer
Hi Mary,

It is not unusual to see microscopic bugs around the base of a plant where it tends to be moist and dark. They tend to occur in potting mixes that are not completely sterile. For the most part they are harmless and do not require any treatment.

There is one exception. If you should observe tiny black gnats flying around your plants, then you have a fungus gnat infestation that requires treatment, which I can provide for you should that occur.

In the interim, make sure that you are allowing your plants to dry out as much as possible in between waterings and make sure no food substances or beverages get added to the plants.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.
   
Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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