Pests in your orchids???

[OrchidAddict]

Wow...erm, perhaps I shouldn't toss out there that I'm in the "I feel lucky" category...I may jinx my good luck! I do have little bugs that like to hang out in the potting media, though. They look like fruit flies or gnats. They're black with little transparent wings. I have no idea what they are, but they don't seem to be bothering my orchids at all...I think they really just like the potting mix. Initially I was trying to figure out how to get rid of them, but since they don't seem to be hurting anything (and they're not really multiplying in any significant manner), I'm not really freaking out about it.

I only really see them when I water my orchids...then they fly out of the bark. Apparently the water "bugs" them. *snort* Okay...bad joke...

Now I'm wondering if they're something I should be worried about....

[angela]

I have voted Slugs & snails, only because they are a minor problem for me. You did not list Thrips, they are my BIG recurring problem, and Yellow-breasts eating my buds!!!

[Chris1140]

My kitty is locked out of the room where the orchids live, as he has been known to bat at phalaenopsis spikes.

[eorchids]

1. Snails and slugs
2. scale
3. earwig
4. I ... can be a devastating agent !

[orchids^_^]

Big fat no good MEALYBUGS!!!! they always seem gone, but then they appear again when phals spike!!!

[tucker85]

If my orchids could talk they might say that I'm the biggest pest that they have to deal with. Other than me, scale is probably the most persistent pest on my orchids. Slugs and snails can do a lot of damage in a short period of time but they're not always around. During the summer fungus is my biggest problem.

[nen]

I grow indoors and have only ever experienced mealy bugs.. and I couldn't agree more with Alex above!!!!
I got infested with a store bought phal about 3 years ago... & I still find some popping up from time to time. Luckily I have not experienced anything else for now.. fingerscrossed !

[Prinzedbeck]

For me the top list pest is....the one and only....

#1. Ants! (black/red both just soo mean)

They just can't leave my orchids alone. They must attack and do the stuff they like...damaging of course.
I just don't know how to get rid of that shit ants. I have tried with soak with as advise - no effect, they can't stay on in the water even for an hour! Imagine that how tough they are. I spray with watery soap - no effect.
Does anybody know how to get rid this shit ants?

[jhodgson]

Snails and slugs for me. It seems to be a constant battle with them. At the present time, I thought I had gotten rid of them, but a few nights ago I noticed all the new root tips were gone from one of plants that in the past I had no issues. Found and eliminated the culprit, but now I need to go into treatment mode again...

[lulupalooza06]

Hi all, I am new to the forum. I found some pests in my orchids when watering them a few days ago. I have two that sit on my livingroom end table under the lamp. I'm in GA and well, these looked like baby palmetto bugs. I think I got them out, as I filled the pots with water and then rinsed really well. How they got in there beats me! We do get palmettos in the house from time to time(they scare me to death!) Any suggestions on how to prevent them from getting in there?