I bought my first ficus about a month and half ago, today while water my ficus these white cadipillar insects came out the drain holes. There was at least fifty by the time they stopped. I have been searching the internet and haven't come acroos what these insects may be and how I can get rid of them.... I also have a majestic palm plant and I hibicous tree I bought at the same time, neither one of these plants have a problem from what I saw today. But, I am worried these insects might find there way to them. Should this be a concern?
I think they are fungus gnat larva. They often come out the drain whole seeking the moisture. Seach this forum and you will find tons of info.
the white things are the larvae of something - can't know if it's a good bug or a bad bug until the things grow enough to become their adult form. did they move at all?? if not, then they're probably dead and nothing to worry about, if the were moving, you can repot it - removing the majority of the soil so that you get rid of any others that are hidden in it. or you can just monitor and keep an eye out for bugs and then treat according to what type of bugs they are. as for the other two plants, they may or may not have the bugs in them...even though you got all three at the same store, the individual plants may have been supplied by different growers. pretty much the only way to be sure that the other two aren't affected is to take them out of the pots and look through the soil. i would definitely keep the one that does have the bug issue separate from the others.
thanks for the help, I'm not sure what they may have been, But I went ahead and repotted him which he needed anyway... He instantly perked back up after potting and watering. Plus I haven't seen anymore pest of any kind......
if you haven't seen any more of the white things, then i guess it was an issue of something in that pot. glad to hear that the ficus said thank you for the new digs!! ;)
