I have a large philodendron lickety split and a large monstera, both of these plants started having leaf damage recently.

After inspecting the plants, there is no evidence of pests on the leaves. However, the soil was infested with what look like root aphids. I'll attach a picture, I know the image quality is terrible but I would like an ID if possible.

I applied a generous layer of diatomaceous earth and that eliminated most of the insects. After a couple of days the DE became moist and some bugs reappeared. Last night I applied another layer of DE.

We are an anti-Neem oil household. Aside from Neem, what else can we use?

I have a large number of plants and this is my first outbreak of pests. I also have some rare aroids that I just bought from someone locally but she's holding them for me until I get these pests taken care of. TIA

I had never heard of root aphids so I googled it. I would suggest you google it also, there are a number of things that are suggested to get rid of them, but it also says that you may not be able to, apparently very hard to eliminate

Thanks Gina. I will keep on top of them and hopefully come up with a solution.

Do you know if DE is still effective on soil after it has been wet?

I have never ever used it. I don;t know.

@gina1960

Is there any other cause for these leaf spots that you can think of?

Not sure these are aphids after all.

I fond it almost 100% fruitless to try and diagnose what is wrong with people's plants by photos. If there is a photo of a pest, you can say...I see that bug. Spots, creases.,splotches, yellow edges...if you aren't able to stand in the same room and look at a plant and touch it, see the soil mix up close etc, its a toss up IMO. The growing conditions may just not be what the plant wants.

Great point! Thanks so much Gina!

I just hate to say something and have it be stupid LOL. It has also been pointed out to me that, as a greenhouse grower, I have drastically different conditions from houseplant growers (even though, BEFORE i was a greenhouse grower, I was a houseplant grower for YEARS LOL) Some people think I should not give advice on Houseplants at all.

Great point! Thanks so much Gina!

Great point! Thanks so much Gina!