---
title: "Unknown pests! This morning my prayer plant finally began to open its…"
description: "Unknown pests! This morning my prayer plant finally began to open its first new leaf! Inside were multiple little black bugs, crawling around inside! Can…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/0eyTu3vshW6Q6t1wakt61v"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Greg"
published: "2024-12-08T14:27:26.190127Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/SDcp6u3DegYvYc3GDyeJSzJVFoWEs_dDhYJovoE17LA/NauVXIqOQnyc8JwIKTe7RQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# Unknown pests! This morning my prayer plant finally began to open its…

_Posted by Greg on 2024-12-08_

Unknown pests! This morning my prayer plant finally began to open its first new leaf! Inside were multiple little black bugs, crawling around inside! Can anyone identify them!?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/SDcp6u3DegYvYc3GDyeJSzJVFoWEs_dDhYJovoE17LA/NauVXIqOQnyc8JwIKTe7RQ.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### Alyssa commented on 2024-12-08

😱😱thrips! And so many

#### Greg replied on 2024-12-08

Ugh! Thankfully it’s not near any other plant! Thank you for your help!!

### Mugsy commented on 2024-12-08

Separate/quarantine from other plants, hose/shower it down with water to knock them off, spray/drench with insecticidal soap/neem oil every week until you don’t see new damage. Inspect other plants if it was by others. Good luck!

### Moe commented on 2024-12-08

Make sure you use insecticides that specifically says it will kill thrips they are strong against most sprays. I am dealing with these guys as well. I also wiped them off the leaves so they don't fly over to other plants. Arber is what I used. It was pretty affordable and I got it right on Amazon. Good luck. It took me about 2 weeks to clear them out. I'm am just waiting to make sure nothing hatchs out before moving him back.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/UWmtlV_-GSb7G-FWGXPYdUby5v0fuuBYWi3D6C2WkVo/c-PsvsbFQz2h6Pr5H2mlbg.webp?size=large)

### Greg commented on 2024-12-08

Thank you so much for this recommendation! I used “bonide eight” which seemed to kill them right away but I’ll also get what you recommend just in case!

### Wolfen 🐺 commented on 2024-12-09

Thrips can fly... though they suck at it. So make sure to check over all your plants

#### Wolfen 🐺 replied on 2024-12-09

And Keep in mind the egg to adult cycle is a little over 2 weeks. And the adults live for a month and a half. So ideally treat for 2 months.

### Rambo commented on 2024-12-09

If you don't have any success with pesticides, try live predators which eat them. They're better at getting into the crevices where Thrips hide. The only snag is that you have to wait 6weeks after applying a pesticide

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