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I've got bugs...

Hi everybody,

I'm fairly new to the list and gardening, and need some advise. 
Technically, I don't have bugs but some of my plants do.  I've looked in
gardening books and haven't really been able to figure out what these
things are and how to get rid of them.  My first problem is with my Spider
Plant (Chlorophytum, I had to look that up!).  It has these barely visible
bugs that are a silvery, white color.  They are all over the soil but not
on the plant itself.  They don't have wings as far as I can tell, and the
body is kind of oval shaped.  Actually, they look like miniature fleas. 
My best guess is that these things are nematodes.  But I really don't
know.  I have a sentimental attachment to this plant, so I don't want to
throw it away.  I know I need to repot it.  My question is can I just wash
all the dirt away from the roots and be done with the bugs? 

Okay next question, I rescued (or prolonged the death) of some Christmas
cati.  They have these black knat bugs.  They are on the leaves and in the
soil.  Actually, I've seen them on some of my other plants.  But I haven't
seen any holes or evidence that they are eating my plants.  It's just
embarrassing when people come over and see these bugs.  So will any
household insecticide work or is this more serious? 

Well, those are my "problem plants" but I do have some that are actually
doing okay.  My oldest plant is a Corn plant, named Petrick, that is about
8 years old.  (By the way, what is the verdict on naming plants and
talking to them?) It has been within the last 6 months that I really
became interested in plants.  I went from about 5 plants to over 30 in
that amount of time.  Maybe that's normal, but I'm starting to wonder if I
have an addiction!  I'd really appreciate any advice that's out there. 
I'm scared I'll have an epidemic on my hands pretty soon!  Thanks! 


Sara
in MS (zone 8?)
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