---
title: "I just finished treating this plant and others for spider mites. I…"
description: "I just finished treating this plant and others for spider mites. I took a closer look at my elephant ear and there’s these shiny brown specs all over the…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/bS0AhTC6TLLcyIp6fNEbdG"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "LaMP"
published: "2026-06-13T13:24:33.243167Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gf9do5ybb1k8kZ62V6FRwbCH1G8u4qcU9OJqDP2Upjs/oIpox9_rTVq_pMVrlbCbVw.webp?size=large"
---

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

# I just finished treating this plant and others for spider mites. I…

_Posted by LaMP on 2026-06-13_

I just finished treating this plant and others for spider mites. I took a closer look at my elephant ear and there’s these shiny brown specs all over the underside of its only remaining leaf.  
Planta diagnosed it as thrips, but I’m not seeing the bugs. Would any of you agree with this diagnosis or suggest otherwise? I am ready to give up and stick her outside and say f\* it.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/gf9do5ybb1k8kZ62V6FRwbCH1G8u4qcU9OJqDP2Upjs/oIpox9_rTVq_pMVrlbCbVw.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### PLANTS!!🪴🌱 commented on 2026-06-13

Do the brown spots peel off?

#### LaMP replied on 2026-06-13

Yeah they do, for the most part

#### PLANTS!!🪴🌱 replied on 2026-06-13

I had brown spots that peeled off on my plants stems and after I peeled them they never came back. Maybe it is the same thing?

### Nikki commented on 2026-06-13

could be poop from the spider mites tbh

### Jezzeaka commented on 2026-06-13

Could it be frass from the spider mites?

### Plantifer commented on 2026-06-14

I agree with the app saying it has thrips as i have thrips on one of my plants. Those brownish black spots are the thrips droppings, the bugs are most likely hiding around the plant stem or where the leaf meets the stem.

### MPlants commented on 2026-06-15

Put your plant in the shower each time you water for the next month or so. Rinse leaves with your hand. Wash stalks as well. You can cover your soil with a plastic bag while you do that.

### LaMP commented on 2026-06-16

Thank you all! It is definitely frass, but I am concerned about thrips so I am going to wash it down in the shower and keep it secluded to be safe.

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