spiders on my Vanda?

[VickiC]

Hi everyone,
Can someone tell me what these little "spiders" are(were)?

I thought the low temp tonight might be a little cool for my Vanda hanging on our porch, so I brought it inside. When I could see it better in the light (it's dark outside), I saw these tiny little creatures. I'm assuming they're just harmless baby spiders (??), but I decided to ask you. I don't have any kind of insecticide, but using something might not even be necessary....what do you think?
Thanks in advance,
Vicki

[cb977]

Vicki, they look like Clover Mites...which are plant eaters!
Read this:
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[Lorraine]

Hi Vicki,

I don't know anything about spiders but if they were on any of my chids they would be history. You should be able to wash them off with some soapy water in case they have any other brother & sisters then rinse off well with regular water. I would not want to be bringing them into my house eeek!

I checked out the link Susanne has above and if you have them you sure will want to get some insecticide.

[dgenovese1]

Hi Vicki,

In examining your photo, I really don't think that these guys are mites (they look much larger than the ones in the video), or any kind of spider for that matter. I can however see how they could be mistaken for spiders.

I actually think that they are an aphid species, one of the larger varieties. here is a link: Red Aphids Take that you little bugger!

I would wash them off with a good jet of water, and then spray the plant with rubbing alcohol to kill any babies or eggs. retreat as needed.

By the way, vandas can withstand temps down to 50 degrees F without any problems. They can even go as low as 40 to 45 for very short periods of time without damage (some are more sensitive than others).

[masda]

Kill, Kill Kill.

[VickiC]

Thanks everyone...
I freaked when I saw the little creatures, so after I sent my question-post to you, Rodney did a thorough investigation for me. lol Seriously, I sat my Vanda basket down in the bathroom sink and then gave it a soapy bath followed by a good rinse.....and there were more of those little culprits. Rodney looked at them veeerry closely (you should have seen him.....reading glasses, magnifying glass.....sorta reminded me of Sherlock Holmes. lol) He looked and looked at different articles on the net and found that they are indeed red aphids.

Susanne, thank you for the link. They looked very much like the clover mites you mentioned, so I was getting ready to call our exterminator 1st thing in the morn. Rodney told me to calm down and let him check this situation out. lol

Lorraine, you and I think the same way when it comes to unwanted bugs n such.....the ones I saw on my plant were certainly history as soon as I took their pic.

Thanks so much for the link, David. Thanks also for the temp info.....I didn't realize that Vandas were as tough as you mentioned.

Masda, my motto exactly: kill, kill, kill lol
Vicki

[rmack5]

Yep, they are Red Aphids. Living here in Alabama also, I have seen them before. They were really bad in our maple trees this year. I agree with the others, get rid of them asap. by the way, are you still interested in going to bham to the show?

[dgenovese1]

Originally Posted by VickiC

Thanks everyone...
I freaked when I saw the little creatures, so after I sent my question-post to you, Rodney did a thorough investigation for me. lol Seriously, I sat my Vanda basket down in the bathroom sink and then gave it a soapy bath followed by a good rinse.....and there were more of those little culprits. Rodney looked at them veeerry closely (you should have seen him.....reading glasses, magnifying glass.....sorta reminded me of Sherlock Holmes. lol) He looked and looked at different articles on the net and found that they are indeed red aphids.

Susanne, thank you for the link. They looked very much like the clover mites you mentioned, so I was getting ready to call our exterminator 1st thing in the morn. Rodney told me to calm down and let him check this situation out. lol

Lorraine, you and I think the same way when it comes to unwanted bugs n such.....the ones I saw on my plant were certainly history as soon as I took their pic.

Thanks so much for the link, David. Thanks also for the temp info.....I didn't realize that Vandas were as tough as you mentioned.

Masda, my motto exactly: kill, kill, kill lol
Vicki

Vicki,

I'm glad I could be of help. And I'm with you and Masda when it comes to unwanted buggers in my chid collection. I've been know to chant "die, just die you litttle ba******" while spraying these guys in my shadehouse.