---
title: "Does anyone know what these are? They are on the bottom leaves of my…"
description: "Does anyone know what these are? They are on the bottom leaves of my bird of paradise"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/lM2aXOA6Sb4PyAvmSOuIET"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "kelsey"
published: "2025-10-06T21:23:19.283327Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Ysx4oPWjfd1oorH5Hcf6jdo6U8P_RtQw3KAUL8cJAZk/4enf9YLVSBK-RLDrUqxtOA.webp?size=large"
---

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# Does anyone know what these are? They are on the bottom leaves of my…

_Posted by kelsey on 2025-10-06_

Does anyone know what these are? They are on the bottom leaves of my bird of paradise

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Ysx4oPWjfd1oorH5Hcf6jdo6U8P_RtQw3KAUL8cJAZk/4enf9YLVSBK-RLDrUqxtOA.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Ysx4oPWjfd1oorH5Hcf6jdo6U8P_RtQw3KAUL8cJAZk/AdePYLmJRO6CUu0Lc7iyMg.webp?size=large)

## 13 comments

### Aroidmama commented on 2025-10-06

Looks like a pest issue. It’s a little dark to be scale. Maybe a larvae of sorts. Have you removed one and checked it for texture, hardness, and softness under a magnifying glass? I’d quarantine it and dive into looking at pest issues. When was the last time you used pest prevention prophylactic treatment?

#### kelsey replied on 2025-10-06

Thanks for the tips, I just used something on it today so I’m hoping that helps.

### Nan commented on 2025-10-06

Mealy bugs:((

#### Nan replied on 2025-10-06

This is what I use, I find it works great

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/ywoyxjGPQt3H70Xk99Po9QWZiq6tQ3uO6PORZ0v7LMk/Hrd1Fk5jR7eV-Paijc88oA.webp?size=large)

#### Nan replied on 2025-10-06

I also dab what I can with an alcohol swab (don’t do the whole leaf as it could kill the plant)

#### kelsey replied on 2025-10-06

Thank you so much!!

#### Nan replied on 2025-10-06

No problem, make sure to isolate

### Aroidmama commented on 2025-10-06

I agree w/Nan. Alcohol for mealy bugs and Neem works well but must be applied directly to the pest. Are the black spots dirt or an unknown?

#### kelsey replied on 2025-10-07

They almost feel like a seed, but it’s so odd because my plant is perfectly healthy

### Tom commented on 2025-10-06

Mealy bugs are the white ones, dark round ones are scales

#### Tom replied on 2025-10-06

Ever methods mentioned above , or a lop warm shower with a artist / makeup brush, brushing mainly all the under sides of leaves following the grains, cover soil first with plastic bag, once done it would be best to remove top 2 inches or soil, just in case there’s any pests in there

### Plantpa commented on 2025-10-07

Mealybugs \& Scales

### Aroidmama commented on 2025-10-07

Kelsey, that should work. But you should treat them every 3-6 days depending on the infestation. And watch for recurrence. “The length of time a plant needs to be treated for mealybugs and scale depends on the size of the infestation. For smaller infestations, a few weeks of consistent treatment should be sufficient. However, larger infestations may require months of treatment, and the plant may not survive. In extreme cases, it is better to discard the plant to prevent the infestation from spreading.” Good luck and keep diligent.

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