Soak phals in hydrogen peroxide with media

[Iray]

Hello everybody!
I got a phals as a gift while on holiday in the USA, but I've noticed it has tiny insects in the media and possible eggs :s
I don't have my repotting kit with me but I do have hydrogen peroxide! I soaked the pot with water and HP 3% and saw the critters crawling up. Hopefully many deceased. I rainsed the roots and media after.
Now, is it advisable to do this procedure? Or will the plant and bark be affected?
Thank you!

[bil]

As always, I'd say ID the bugs, they might not be harmful.

Phals can be pretty tolerant of drying out so I like mine in larger pots with fir bark chunks, and nothing else.

The medium dries out well and isn't such a tempting refuge.

[lotis146]

I second bil. What did the bugs look like? Look up Springtails, did they look like those? If so they're not harmful. When I first got started I freaked out when I saw those little guys and immediately tried, and succeeded, to kill them. Now I let them be and see them all the time.

[WhiteRabbit]

3% hydrogen peroxide won't harm the roots or media.

[Iray]

I hope they are harmless..! They look really tiny and pale,really don't know what they are..but hopefully they are peaceful!

[Ray]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

3% hydrogen peroxide won't harm the roots or media.

It won't harm the bugs, either.

[Iray]

Oh no

[Plodde]

3% Hydrogen peroxide killed bush snails for me. I just did it today and picked the dead ones out.
Its very strange that this seems to work for some people but not for others.

[camille1585]

I've had something like that before, they're harmless to the plants. They're probably more of a sign that the medium might need changing.

If I understood right, you're in the USA now and got that Phal there. Are you aware that you can't bring it back to Europe with you?

[Iray]

Yep hopefully it will be in good care anyway!