---
title: "Hi friends! Have a problem. I adopted 4 plants from a friend who is…"
description: "Hi friends! Have a problem. I adopted 4 plants from a friend who is moving yesterday. I stupidly did not inspect the one that looked a little wonky, and drove…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/ojdAalknyNXXlcQi06Iypr"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "PlantHopeful"
published: "2025-08-16T18:24:47.430383Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/pestsDiseasesAndProblems.jpg"
---

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

# Hi friends! Have a problem. I adopted 4 plants from a friend who is…

_Posted by PlantHopeful on 2025-08-16_

Hi friends! Have a problem. I adopted 4 plants from a friend who is moving yesterday. I stupidly did not inspect the one that looked a little wonky, and drove with them in the car together for about six hours. I got home and it was late, but kept the four new buddies separate from all my other plants (by probably 20 feet) til I could inspect closer this AM. OF COURSEEEEE, the one that looked wonky had a couple thrips (a philo). A couple means probably so many more. I’m too scared to try and treat it (I live in an NYC apartment so space is limited for quarantine) so into the trash it went. My question now is, what do I do with the other three? I have ordered more systemic granules and sprayed with neem oil preventatively. They look fine and healthy, but I know better than that. My friend said the one that was infected was always separate from the others anyway, but I’m really worried about that car ride. I honestly have never had a lot of pests with my house plans before so please any and all advice is welcome! If I have to throw these three out so be it. They are a bird of paradise, fiddle leaf, and draecona if that helps. Big babes. HAAALLPPPP 😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩

## 4 comments

### Mrs. Maingi commented on 2025-08-16

I’ve never dealt with tripes before. But we have had an issue with stupid gnats all summer. I’ve been using diatomaceous earth mixed with cinnamon on the top soil. We spray mid week with a combo of neem oil, insecticide soap and peppermint oil. It’s gone a long way to help with the issue. I’d just inspect your new babies really well spray them and keep them quarantined for a bit.

### Phil commented on 2025-08-17

I’ve never dealt with thrips either, but everyone says it can be bad. I would not take the chance. I’d dump them all.

#### PlantHopeful replied on 2025-08-17

I’m honestly leaning that way. I’m so scared. Feeling awful about it but probably the right thing to do! Ughhhhhh

### PlantHopeful commented on 2025-08-17

An update: I took the middle road. I chopped alll three. So any infestation in the leaves that I didn’t see is now gone (I hope). Treated soil with systemic granules. We’re now in science experiment territory. Any and all advice welcome!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ehGeKVANKWiVHXxPVG6UQ2RbeFwych6MkScFVRWDRFg/9iy06rE5Q8aIYN2_p4RbXA.webp?size=large)

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