Got it!!! The bug is on a paper towel, super small, I had to search to find one. I took about 45 photos, then squish!

Keep in mind I was trying to get close so there's nothing I could compare with because it was a concentrated area. It's very hard to see.

Sooby, they do not jump, I tried several times. They only speed up. And they are more brown than black in the pictures. The first photo was with my camera, then the other two with camera phone.

Daisyl- I don't know if a dead scorpion can sting. I told our exterminator and he said, "Yeah, it happens, they can't swim. It's no biggie, it can't do anything to you" It felt like stepping on a worm though. The worst part was I panicked, ran (in water that seemed like eternity) out of the pool, and got the scooper. When I tried to scoop it, it broke apart. At that point, it was my husband's problem. I didn't go in for a week.

Not thrips. They look more like springtails to me. There is the odd springtail species that doesn't jump but in case it's something else let's ask Janet @JRsbugs

I've often wondered how long eggs can live in soil. I bought the plant in late January, the put it in a new pot with soil that was on-hand (that does not have bugs). So there would've been some remaining soil that it came with, then added my own. Just FYI

Almost impossible to say! Are the three all the same bug? They all look different.

The first one just doesn't look right for a springtail, it could be an psocod nymph. They like moist places.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/...



The second one looks like a beetle, could be a root eating beetle ..

http://bugguide.net/node/view/...



Third one looks like a mature psocod, or barkfly.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/...

That's what I thought when I looked at the photos: it seems to be 3 different insects. The last one seems to have wings.

How big is this pot? Could three different kinds of bugs all be living harmoniously in that one pot?

Sorry I didn't catch the name of the plant earlier. I have never heard of that particular one (The page turned and I don't recall what it was. That's how my mind works - Oh, never heard of that one! Oops! It's gone ). If it likes that much water, you are inviting all sorts of bugs to call it home.

Daisy

The outdoor type of psocod do have wings, some don't. The other type are called booklice which are usually wingless.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/...

Well, I took them all at the same time and thought it was the same bug. There's a possibility I have more than one and while I was switching between camera and phone I zoomed in on a different bug without realizing.

Regarding the three links- leaning towards either #2 or #3. Or both. Yikes.

I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's help- Daisy, Sue and Janet! I'm going to keep trying to get a better photo.

Janet- are any of these difficult to get rid of? I have no idea where they would come from either, but I'm willing to get rid of the plant if they are difficult. Just say the word.

Thank you!

Insecticidal Soap.

I can't stop laughing. It was the word "lice" that threw me off....

Edit: I promise to continue using the insecticidal soap.

I'm not one for getting rid of bugs like this, unless they are doing obvious harm there's no reason to. I've found several species of psocods in my garden, some breed under the leaves of Camellias. The eggs are amazing, they lay several in a small group then cover them in spider-like webbing. The eggs nests are tiny, barely noticeable, I've watched females spin their webbing over their eggs and even watched one laying eggs. They are extremely cute little bugs with funny faces.

The upload wouldn't work before ..

Ok, I had to stop and really think about having a different view point on this; your explanation is very interesting!! Going to do a little reading....

Some Springtails are actually beneficial. I think the problem is having them living in the house. Oh, I LOVE bugs living in the house (kill the suckers!!). Oops! Sorry! Sometimes I get carried away. But the rule is: If a bug is were I can't reach it and stays out of reach, it can stay for safety reasons (my safety mostly). If they are within reach, they are GONE!

I am assuming this plant is living somewhere close to the floor.... and there you go...

Daisy

At least it sounds like the bugs will stay in the pot for tonight.

Here is the money tree (just watered). Sorry I didn't send this earlier, was too focused on the bugs. This is really the only plant in a larger pot right now, when compared to the size of the root system. Changing the pot down a size might be a good idea though.

It's on a table next to a bed. In the guest room.

Ehhh! Creepy crawlies walking on your guests as they sleep. Why not import a few bed bugs to go along with them? Yuk... Doing a lot of that tonight. That plant would be out the back door!

Daisy

I was teasing, I just set it on the table for a photo. It's quarantined right now from everything else, until I resolve this issue.

Good Plan!

This does make me wonder though, when you buy a plant from a big box store, where was it actually grown? Buying local is not always possible during the winter months. I think Home Depot is the one that uses regional growers, but I don't know about the others.

My understanding is that they (Home Depot) have about a dozen regional growers for the entire country. I know that our Home Depot often sells plants in our area as perennials that will die about November 15.

For unfamiliar plants, read the tags and check the cold hardiness. If its a house plant, it could come from anywhere.

Daisy