---
title: "This is why we don’t slack on pest control. 🥴 I usually use mosquito…"
description: "This is why we don’t slack on pest control. 🥴 I usually use mosquito bits and Castile soap in my watering can to control spider mites and fungus gnats,…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/WwA2kgxYZB8cch9gBzkXNg"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Josie"
published: "2025-12-20T18:00:01.654079Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/1nQuzA6FPLtEe9mmRwUdi4eqqk6ufZbz9Fu8naW2qmM/mYDuoS27Sp2sqzQK6xw1Sw.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# This is why we don’t slack on pest control. 🥴 I usually use mosquito…

_Posted by Josie on 2025-12-20_

This is why we don’t slack on pest control. 🥴 I usually use mosquito bits and Castile soap in my watering can to control spider mites and fungus gnats, clearly I slacked and my goldfish plant had what I believe are spider mites in the soil. Luckily I think I found it in time and she’s been soaked and repotted in fresh soil.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/1nQuzA6FPLtEe9mmRwUdi4eqqk6ufZbz9Fu8naW2qmM/mYDuoS27Sp2sqzQK6xw1Sw.webp?size=large)

## 11 comments

### Romi commented on 2025-12-20

Woah, are those really what spider mites look like? Holy cow. Castile and mosquito bits, ey?

#### Snail Diva replied on 2025-12-20

Hello, this is not eggs or pests. It is actually a fungus.  
That is due to a lack of airflow and the soil staying moist for too long. It’s technically not harmful but the prolonged moisture level of the soil could cause harm the plant.  
Spider mites lay eggs on the underside of leaves.  
Here is another example of what OP is showing.

I hope this helps.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/7KRlFPsb0xIHig8voxMjXrOpva9bSmXSp8FVs34Orpg/BaYce3qmTxWo08ERi_xtaA.webp?size=large)

#### Snail Diva replied on 2025-12-20

Adult spider mites can go in soil but it is not a suitable environment for their eggs as they are not fond of humidity, which soil usually has.  
I went to grab a picture online of their eggs, as you can see they are translucent.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/7KRlFPsb0xIHig8voxMjXrOpva9bSmXSp8FVs34Orpg/hwXfBdgBSAKtrhiAZxCdPw.webp?size=large)

#### Romi replied on 2025-12-20

Copy that, thank you Snail Diva!!! I super appreciate the education as I’m struggling with what might be spider mites in my sunroom.

#### Snail Diva replied on 2025-12-20

No problem at all! As someone with a lot of alocasias, an higher ambiant humidity usually does the trick along with frequent leaf cleaning/wiping. (Or showering my plants if I don’t feel like wiping 30+ of them.) I can probably count on one hand how many times I had them.  
Because although they are annoying, they are really terrible at staying in place once you knock their webbing.  
Lastly, it is worth noting that webbing is sometime a late sign of spider mites so I go with preventative measures rather than reacting to it.

#### Romi replied on 2025-12-20

Yes, fortunately I seem to have gotten to my plants before the webbing builds. Budding leaves coming out banged up and chewed through is my tell-tale.

_4 more replies in the app_

### Waspinator commented on 2025-12-20

The fungus is probably flowerpot parasol if you'd like to learn more about it

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