Please help me!!!

[mayalof]

I bought a monstera deliciosa from a guy and when I got home and had a propper look I realized the soil has white dots and there are tiny brownish bugs in it. How can I get rid of this and what is it? Thank you to whomever takes the time to help me!!

 

[mayalof]

Here is the white stuff

 

[Marck]

Greetings, welcome to the Forums.

The white spots in the soil appears to be a fungus and the unseen insects, just might be Fungus Gnats (Sciaroidea, Diptera).
Neither directly poses a major threat to your Ceriman (Monstera deliciosa), but both might be indicative of over-watering.
Going forward, let the surface of the potting soil look dry before irrigating. However, if either the soil or container do not drain well, re-pot immediately.

 

[mayalof]

Ok thank you! I know they are not fungus gnats though, they don't have wings and are much smaller. More legs too. Do you know what they could be?

 

[mayalof]

Greetings, welcome to the Forums.

The white spots in the soil appears to be a fungus and the unseen insects, just might be Fungus Gnats (Sciaroidea, Diptera).
Neither directly poses a major threat to your Ceriman (Monstera deliciosa), but both might be indicative of over-watering.
Going forward, let the surface of the potting soil look dry before irrigating. However, if either the soil or container do not drain well, re-pot immediately.

Yes, overwatering no question about it. This is what was in the decorative pot when I took out the monstera...

 

[Marck]

It's good you found the overwatering problem early.

I really can't make out any details on the insect photos.
Does your camera have a macro setting? Many do, and it is the best way to take close-shots of details and small objects.

 

[mayalof]

I will try to get better pictures tomorrow. Do you know if neem oil works on most pests? I've heard it kills some but not sure if I should buy some since I don't know what the bugs are

 

[Marck]

For soil insects, you could try a Neem Oil soil drench, but first it is good to identify them. They may be harmless or beneficial, or they may disappear on their own, if the plant's cultural conditions improve.

 

[mayalof]

I

For soil insects, you could try a Neem Oil soil drench, but first it is good to identify them. They may be harmless or beneficial, or they may disappear on their own, if the plant's cultural conditions improve.

just got some better pictures see below

 

[mayalof]

I can't find any sings of them on the stems or leaves, but the soil is full of them...

 

[Marck]

These are good photos, especially the second shot. This is a soil mite (likely Oribatida, Acari). It is part of the typical decomposition fauna of organic matter in soil. Letting soil dry more between irrigation will reduce their numbers. They do not feed on living plants. Most mites have eight legs, but larvae have six, and the Superfamily Eriophyoidea, which includes many of the Gall Mites, have only four legs.