Question
Hello.  I have a 30+ year old devil's ivy which has some bugs in the soil that look like tiny white caterpillars.  The pot is fairly small, about 4-5 inches diameter and it sits right in front of a south facing window, so it gets a lot of light. I don't think it's ever been repotted, and I'm not keen on doing so, unless it's necessary.  Please help!  As well, can these bugs transfer to nearby plants?

Thanks so much!

Answer
Hi Gwynneth,

If the bugs are real tiny they will not transfer to other plants. They are also not going to do harm to your devil's ivy. You could safely ignore them, if you choose. Repotting is not necessary and not a good idea.

If you want to get rid of them, try the following: The next time your plant needs water, place it in a sink or tub filled with water and plunge it up to the rim of the pot. Leave it for about 20 - 30 minutes. The saturated soil will cause the critters to rise to the surface in search of air and float away.

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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