---
title: "Anybody have a guess on what these little pests are (one bulb in…"
description: "Anybody have a guess on what these little pests are (one bulb in photo)? My research keeps coming up with mealybugs, white flys or aphids, but we’re not…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/CQDcNKuFT2eBWinfsTKHmQ/HVYfMWeKoN9b900oXkvwvX"
community: "Gardening and Outdoor"
author: "Brandon"
published: "2025-07-08T22:15:30.176127Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wSUXGHfPXTE4Azr-NWapIpDB2W2Ley5DZyKRXrPpYhQ/nOFcY1GnT_yq0Paxo7Qr4A.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Gardening and Outdoor](https://getplanta.com/community/CQDcNKuFT2eBWinfsTKHmQ.md)

# Anybody have a guess on what these little pests are (one bulb in…

_Posted by Brandon on 2025-07-08_

Anybody have a guess on what these little pests are (one bulb in photo)?

My research keeps coming up with mealybugs, white flys or aphids, but we’re not confident in any direction.

I keep hosing them down to rinse them away and applying a Neem Oil spray after the plants dry almost every other day for about a week now.

We’ve seen some moving bugs, but they’re so quick I can’t ever get a photo.

These seem to be the eggs or larva maybe (pictured)?

On our hibiscus if it helps, which is super annoying as they’re just starting to flower!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wSUXGHfPXTE4Azr-NWapIpDB2W2Ley5DZyKRXrPpYhQ/nOFcY1GnT_yq0Paxo7Qr4A.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Trevor commented on 2025-07-08

I think it’s aphids I’m currently having the same problem

### 7Bee commented on 2025-07-08

I agree it looks like aphids. I treat with soapy water. Just add a tablespoon of any liquid dish soap to a couple cups of water. Spray the leaves and the nodes where the leaves meet the stem. Repeat as needed

### Brandon commented on 2025-07-08

We’ll give that a try (dish soap and water). Is that treatment only; only when we see the bugs/larva?

I.e.; don’t do regularly as a preventative or anything?

#### 7Bee replied on 2025-08-28

I use this whenever I see aphids. Repeat until gone. No need to treat once they are gone. I usually spay then use my fingers to gently rub across the leaves and stems

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_