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Don’t Touch These If You See Them on Your Plants — Here’s What They Really Are

If you’re an avid gardener or just someone who enjoys tending to a few potted plants on your balcony, chances are you’ve noticed strange bumps, blobs, or clusters on leaves or stems. Your first instinct might be to touch, poke, or even remove them — but stop right there.

Some things you see on your plants shouldn’t be touched — not just for the plant’s sake, but for your own health and safety.

Here’s what those mystery visitors might be, why you should leave them alone (at least at first), and how to safely deal with them if needed.

🐛 1. Caterpillar Eggs or Larvae

Clusters of small, round, jelly-like eggs on leaves? They could belong to butterflies or moths — and not all are pests.

Why Not to Touch:

• Some caterpillars can irritate your skin or carry mild toxins.
• Others, like the monarch butterfly, are beneficial pollinators, and their larvae are crucial for the ecosystem.

What to Do:

• Observe before removing. If they’re from a known pest (like cabbage loopers), you can gently remove them with gloves.
• If they’re from beneficial species, leave them be or relocate them safely to a wild area.

🕷️ 2. Spider Egg Sacs

Tiny white or beige cotton-like balls under leaves or in plant corners? Likely a spider egg sac.

Why Not to Touch:

• When disturbed, hundreds of tiny spiders can emerge.
• Some species are harmless, but others (like the black widow) can pose a risk.

What to Do:

• If in doubt, don’t squish or touch directly.
• Remove using a stick or gloved hand and place far from your home or garden.

🪲 3. Scale Insects

Brown or tan, shell-like bumps stuck to stems and leaves? These aren’t growths — they’re insects with a waxy or armored coating.

Why Not to Touch:

• They’re hard to remove by hand and can spread when disturbed.
• Some excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which attracts ants and mold.

What to Do:

• Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to treat small infestations.
• For larger areas, try horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.

🐞 4. Ladybug Larvae

Spiky black-and-orange bugs crawling on leaves? That’s not a pest — it’s a baby ladybug in its larval stage.

Why Not to Touch:

• They look intimidating but are completely harmless — and they eat aphids and other plant-damaging bugs.
• Touching them may disrupt their development or remove a valuable ally from your garden.

What to Do:

• Leave them alone. They’re natural pest control in action.

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