I got bugs!?!? :o/

[bouch113]

I bought a few more orchids today at a farmers market & I see these little buggers in the bark, what are they & are they harmful to the orchid? If so, what do I need to do to get rid of them

Thanks in advance,
Alaina

[plantaholic]

They're sowbugs and I'm not sure what all they could do to an orchid but I imagine they'd eat the roots. I can't stand the things anymore but have never had to deal with them inside.

[PaphMadMan]

Pillbug/sowbug/woodlouse and dozens of other common names. Usually not directly harmful to plants but often a sign that the media has gone bad and needs to be replaced immediately. Technically not a bug, or even an insect... a crustacean.

[bouch113]

Thank you for your responses I will change to media & hopefully that will take care of those little buggers. How often do you need to change the media in orchids?

[Cym Ladye]

Some orchids want to be re-potted in fresh mix yearly. Others, like Cymbidiums, may go 3-4 years if they do not outgrow their pots before then. It primarily depends on the life of the media the plants are potted in, how vigorously the plants are growing and the size of the containers.

CL

[Orchid126]

Before you repot try to kill the bugs you have. Pour some soapy water through the media several times, a few days apart. Or you could soak the whole pot in water for an hour or two and hopefully they will jump ship.

And wash off the bare roots in soapy water in order to kill any lingering larvae.