Pics would be helpful if you can figure out how, I take a proactive approach to pests, I attack first, so I don't get them anymore. I never had bugs near the roots, unless they were fungus gnats, but I use a thin layer of diatomaceous earth over the top of the soil, and I haven't seen any bugs in a while. My wife uses it outdoors, on all her plants, and she has 0 bugs as well.