Common Orchid Pests and Treatments

Many plants are prime targets for certain pests, and this is also the case with orchids. If the problem is minor, simply brushing the unwanted pests off of the plant is sufficient. For more severe infestations, chemical sprays can be used to safely treat the problem.

It’s a good idea to quarantine all new plants until you can be certain that they are pest free. Some pests will spread quite quickly to your other plants, if given the chance. You may need to isolate your new plant as long as several weeks, depending on your circumstances.

Often, these infestations result from eggs that have been laid on your plants. The Cattleya fly is an example of an insect that will deposit it’s eggs in your orchids. The larvae can cause much damage after they hatch and begin feeding. By the time they complete their transformation into flies, they could very well have destroyed your plant.

They can easily be eliminated by using one of the commercial chemical sprays that are available. This will also provide you with some protection against other pests as well.

The Cattleya beetle is another pest that can be treated in much the same way. These shiny, black hard shelled bugs will tear your plants up with their curving beaks. You’ll need to dig into the bark to see them because they lay their eggs at the tips of the roots. Because of this, they can destroy a plant in no time at all.

Other methods may be necessary for eliminating insects that are nocturnal. Cockroaches, slugs and snails can be located and removed by turning off the lights and searching for them with a flashlight. You can then remove them by hand. You can also use pesticides in the form of bait pellets.

If you place your orchid pot in some clean gravel or on a cement floor, it should prevent snails from ever getting to your plant. Setting your pot in vegetable oil is also effective. Snails and slugs can also be deterred by using pellets of Snarol and Buggetta. Hide the pellets in some rotten lettuce to make it more attractive.

You can use similar methods to rid your plants of earwigs. Lay down some newspaper overnight and collect them up in it the next morning. Then take the newspaper and burn it. This method is an effective alternative to chemicals.

Biological control methods are also useful for combating pests. You’ll need to take some time to learn which insects will the best to use. An example would be ladybugs, which eat aphids. Make sure whichever species you use will not turn it’s attention to your plants when the job is done.

There are many safe and effective chemical treatments out there today. If mealybugs are feeding on the roots, there are chemicals you can place on the leaves that will absorb into the plant and work their way to the problem area.

Some of these pests are quite small and difficult to see. Even so, you’ll begin to notice evidence of their presence soon enough. You’ll begin to notice the leaves turn silver on the bottoms. Yellow spots may also show up, as well as their tiny webs.

Keeping the humidity up can help you control them. Regular washing of the leaves is also a good idea. Also, you can always resort to chemical sprays that will get rid of the adults as well as the eggs they lay.

         

Orchid Care - Orchid Growing Tips