What type of insect is this?

[maxciocc]

I was re-potting a Phal and noticed several silvery insects underneath the fir bark. They were especially noticeable under flourescent lights. I did not notice any leaf damage, such as spots caused by mites. Can Neem Oil be used to treat this should more show up?

Gregg C.
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[Piper]

Hi Gregg,

I've found Neem to work well against critters, but if you suspect they're in the potting mix, I'd soak the pot in a more concentrated Neem solution than you'd typcially spray 5-10x moreso. Then spray the leaves, and do so one or two more times in intervals of 3-4 days to ensure you catch any hatching critters.

That should snap things around.

Julie

[maxciocc]

Someone suggested fungus gnats, and I had seen tiny flies. The size of the bug was very tiny like the tip of a sewing needle. I did repot, threw away the original pot,dusted the roots with cinnamin, and used new potting medium and planted the phal in a new clay pot. Should the surface of the potting medium also be sprayed?

[Gin]

Hi Gregg , the little bugs in the bark are a common pest they feed on bark that is breaking down , I have used water with a dash of dish soap and submerging the pot, if it is not the right time to repot .
Be careful of the Neem keep the plant shaded and not hot if you use it , I don't like to use it on the roots as the oil cloggs up the root covering . Gin

[Jmoney]

if they're the size of a pinhead, silvery, and you can see little legs off them, they might be mealies. neem works about as well as any oil, but you have to spray and respray and etc. enstar is a hormonal agent that is very potent against scale and mealies, although it is very expensive.

if they are very tiny, and jump around, they are just springtails. they don't really harm plants but will feed on decaying roots and other junk.

cinnamon is good for dusting cuts, but it is a root inhibitor. i wouldn't let it near any root. decaying roots are just pulled off.

[maxciocc]

Well it is a week later and no sign of critters...crawling or flying. I want to thank you all for confirming what treatment I felt was necessary. What a great resource!

Gregg

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I agree. There are a great bunch of really intelligent folks here on OrchidTalk! I am glad your critters are gone! Good growing!

Cheers!
BD

[Piper]

Hey - did you guys hear that!

BD thinks me might not be idgets! Maybe there's hope for us!

...or maybe he was just being nice...

Julie