After quit a bit of internet search, it appears any three of these bugs (psocods) would rather stay in the soil, because they eat what's in the soil. I'll take it as a compliment, because that most likely means it's rich soil. It also seems it was just luck to have stumbled upon the bugs by using the potato. I've used potato in the past to check for fungus gnats, so it's the go-to.

Worst case scenario: The problem occurs when they multiply, and this is the time of year that they multiply. However, they do not just multiply, they will infest. If they would actually escape the pot, the bugs go for things like things like paper and books then get in cracks and crevices.

Yes, Janet said she wouldn't get rid of them.....but I have to do it. The other option was to throw out the money tree, but I can't because that is just tempting karma, if you know what I mean. So I'm going to treat. But I'm not sure if I should use insecticidal soap. (Sorry, Daisy, had to say it!)

Thank you so much for all your help!!!

I doubt these would infest books, they are a different type of psocod as I mentioned earlier, the 'booklice' are wingless. These are the outdoor type, they are likely to stay in the compost.

I had loads of them come inside on one of my walls when we had a very hard winter, they remained on a cool east facing wall so I left them. Come warmer weather they all disappeared, they are so small they would easily escape through a gap in the door.

They were the type in the photo on this article .. these live mainly under my Camellia leaves.

http://www.guardian-online.com...

Money plants are remarkably tolerant plants. I'll bet if you just let the soil go dry (even completely dry) between waterings, the numbers will wither to nothing all by themselves.

Bugs are just another type of living organism, the same as a pet, or a plant (or a butterfly). While most of us might not go to the extreme of allowing bugs to populate a wall for a time, perhaps the purpose of Janet's anecdote is try to get everyone to look at the big picture, and not just automatically reach for the kill solution every time nature doesn't follow your human demands. Death might still be the answer, but there is a reason why things happen from the natural world's prospective, and often the solution is in the root cause rather than treating the result (the bugs, in this case).

So after reading Janet's post, I've re-potted the plant in a temporary pot that I can control the moisture better than the other size. I used as much new soil as possible, removing any old without damage to the roots, and discarded the old soil.

I don't get into philosophy of life and death of bugs other than to tell you to each his own, but I seriously appreciate the input because it helped me understand that they are not winged and what environment they like to live in.

Several years ago at our old place, I had a very bad fungus gnat problem after unknowingly using infested potting soil, realizing only a few days after I had used it in every single plant! It was too late by the time the gnats had taken over, and took several months to completely get rid of them. Since then I've been proactive by checking early to avoid having a bigger problem, hence this thread. It has helped because a few months ago, by checking potting mix with potato the day before using it, averted another fungus gnat problem. Back to the store it went and I found a better soil. Lessons learned!

Here's an update: the plant in question has grown a lot! But I put the potato on top of the soil again, and there they were! It's as if the bugs were dormant for the winter, and now they're busy! I tried getting a better photo, but last year's photos are better. I can say that they are now in several of my plants but the plants have been doing very well. Maybe I should just stop putting potatoes on top of the soil and let it go.......

Then:


Now:

It sounds like I have a similar problem and can not find a match to the bugs anywhere online! Mine are teeny tiny, almost iridescent looking bugs crawling inside the soil. There are A LOT of them. The only way I can see them is if I blow on soil and can see them move around underneath. They are not on leaves. The closest is a springtail but I've disturbed soil by pouring a little water and by moving soil and they don't jump the slightest bit. They just crawl around really fast. Green, healthy leaves on my umbrella plant are falling off. Pleeeease, if anyone has any input let me know. Thank you! This is a little late but hopeful someone may see it!

@Irish1208 - The bugs you describe are probably not a cause for concern. The loss of healthy leaves may be a problem and is most likely not related to the critters.

Please post a photo that shows the entire plant and its pot.

Irish1208 said:It sounds like I have a similar problem and can not find a match to the bugs anywhere online! Mine are teeny tiny, almost iridescent looking bugs crawling inside the soil. There are A LOT of them. The only way I can see them is if I blow on soil and can see them move around underneath. They are not on leaves. The closest is a springtail but I've disturbed soil by pouring a little water and by moving soil and they don't jump the slightest bit. They just crawl around really fast. Green, healthy leaves on my umbrella plant are falling off. Pleeeease, if anyone has any input let me know. Thank you! This is a little late but hopeful someone may see it!

Did u ever find out what bugs they were or solution? I'm finding I hve the exact problem and hve no clue what