I found flies in my orchid bark!

[lindasbabies]

I was checking my orchids and watering them today and there were little flies that look like fruit flies only slimmer all in the bark in the pots of two of my phals! I don’t know what they are but should I repot them and wash their roots to get rid of the flies?

[estación seca]

Those are fungus gnats. The larvae feed on decaying organic matter, and sometimes on roots. You can read about them here using the Search function.

People use various means to control them. I train a fan on the plants. It blows away the adults, who aren't able to return to lay eggs. Once all the larvae mature to adults your problem is gone.

[BobcatJohnson]

Sounds like fungus gnats. I find them easy to get rid of. Many different methods are effective. They live in consistently wet media, and lay their eggs where fungus and mold thrive. I've never noticed the gnats themselves to be a detriment to my plants, however, the constantly wet media has been known to rot a root or two. It's the outbreak of gnat clouds buzzing around the house after their larva pupate that drives me crazy. I use mosquito dunks soaked in water to keep my wet loving plants from developing said outbreaks. works great. There are several methods of control that work well. A youtube search or two will give you ideas about what methods might work best for you. Also a search on this forum for "fungus gnat" might help, I haven't ran that search myself but I imagine you would get some good results.

[lindasbabies]

Thank you both!!

[AdeleDS]

I have little pots of pinguicula in among my orchids. They're a carnivorous plant that will eat your fungus gnats no problem.

[lindasbabies]

Thank you for the advice! Where can I find those plants?

[AdeleDS]

I'm in Vancouver; I got mine at a local orchid sale.

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by lindasbabies

Thank you for the advice! Where can I find those plants?

Try local nurseries as well. Another name for the plant is Butterworts. Carnivero, Carnivorous Plants and Tropicals Nursery is in Tx. and I've only bought Pitcher plants from them but they do have all kinds of carnivorous plants if you need to check them out.

[lindasbabies]

I know in Maine where I live we have sun dew plants that are similar to Venus fly traps and maybe I can find them. Thank you all!

[PuiPuiMolcar]

most likely fungus gnat, I grow orchid outdoors so fungus gnat is always a thing but they dont pose much threat if they are low in number.
My I tried using mosquito dunk solution and water with orchid with it to kill the larvea, and use the sticky yellow trap to control the adult. Carnivorous plant are the other best way to control the adults, however if you way want to invest is several, one is not enough to get rid of em.