Occasionally over the last month, one of my plants (a pepperomia) has been dropping leaves. I thought it was stress from moving but I noticed some tiny beige bugs crawling around on the soil. I've included a picture of one below and suspect this is also a problem for 2 of my other plants. Any idea what these guys are and how to get rid of them ASAP? In the meantime I've quarantined the effected plant(s).

Hi Kaitlyn,
There are both mealy bugs and aphids that can be found feeding on the roots of plants. Check all parts of your plant for insects. Clean them off with a q-tip dipped in alcohol.
If you plant is small I would remove it from the soil and wash the plant and roots, leaving no soil attached. Replant in fresh new soil.
Was this plant outdoors for summer?

valleylynn said:Hi Kaitlyn,
There are both mealy bugs and aphids that can be found feeding on the roots of plants. Check all parts of your plant for insects. Clean them off with a q-tip dipped in alcohol.
If you plant is small I would remove it from the soil and wash the plant and roots, leaving no soil attached. Replant in fresh new soil.
Was this plant outdoors for summer?

The plant was not outdoors but I did spread my houseplants amongst my friends' apartments while I moved so something could have happened there. Luckily the plant is small so I'm going to change the soil out right now and inspect the rest of the leaves. Thanks so much for your insight!

I would love to see before and after photos of the entire plant. Look forward to seeing how it does.

Removing it and washing the plants and roots will most likely greatly disturb the fine feeder roots and then your plant will show it's unhappiness. Moving a plant from one environment to another often takes a plant time to adjust.

Root wash I'd hold off on unless other methods don't work and you think they might be in the soil (likely).

Haven't dealt with mealy bugs in a while and not familiar enough with them to ID, but I'd wash the leaves first after covering the soil.

Gently scrub with a paper towel under water (especially under the leaves).

Some people have good results with rubbing alcohol and Q-Tips, haven't tried it. Neem oil is the first thing I'm seeing recommended.

That is not a mealybug or aphid. I'm not sure exactly WHAT it is though. Neem is a good first step.

Anyone figure this out?

I thought young springtails at first but I don't think that's right.

I'm not sure what Kaitlyn decided. Would love to see how her plant is doing.

valleylynn said:I'm not sure what Kaitlyn decided. Would love to see how her plant is doing.

Apologies for the delay! I ended up changing out the soil and washing the roots as it was a pretty small plant. For good measure I also got a neem oil spray and sprayed the soil for a couple of days afterwards. I have not seen any sign of the bugs since which is reassuring! It also hasn't dropped any leaves in the last week and I'm hoping it stays that way plant picture included. Thank you Valleylynn and everyone else who responded!!!

What a beautiful site. Thank you so much Kaitlyn for posting the updated photo. It is lovely.