Orchid Pest?

[Judi]

I was under the misconception that fungus gnats don't harm roots so I ignored the little buggers. After a while my chids just didn't grow well. After some internet research I found the larvae will feed root tips as well as decomposing medium . I controlled my problem with "knock-Out Gnats" from Gardens Alive; it is the bacillus thuringiensis. I also use the yellow sticky tabs, try to dry out the pottng medium, and flush the pots with running water on a monthly basis (we don't have chlorine in our water). My orchids are growing better and are much happier now

[chips]

I placed out two sticky tapes and caught about a dozen flying adults. I did not see any gnats at all today. How long before the next cycle of adults would appear?

[Judi]

It doesn't take long for the gnats to lay eggs and for the eggs to hatch; the following link has good info on fungus gnat life cycle: Gnats

[learning2letgo]

Chips, I'm glad to see that you posed this question here on the forum. A lot more of us get this problem than we would like to admit and the majority of the time, no one comes forward and asks What do I do? I'm glad to see the large outpouring of information from our fellow orchid junkies because you're getting beneficial information and so am I!