white bugs?

[paphlovian]

Hello!

While watering my orchids yesterday, I noticed tiny white bugs (about a millimeter long) coming from the potting medium. Just wondering if anyone might know what type of bug it could be (I live in Florida) and if it is harmful or harmless... and what should be done.

Thanks for your help!
~Angela

[cb977]

Hi Angela...take a look at this:
Diagnosing Orchid Problems

If you don't see your little uninvited guests there, we'll need a picture to try to help you.

Please let us know if you find it

[paphlovian]

It looks like the best description would be the mealy bugs, BUT I have not noticed the discolored leaves or cottony material (except in a bromeliad.. maybe this describes what's happening with that!). I wonder, though, just what mealy bugs look like. I really don't think my camera can pick up these tiny insects!

Thanks for the resource!

[paphlovian]

I don't like using harsh chemicals. I wonder if neem oil would work to treat it, and how I can go about treating the entire plant with it. Perhaps putting the oil in the water when watering?

[Dorothy]

Here is a great article I found in other thread -
Mealybugs on Orchids
I hope this helps

[cb977]

Mealies look like a little mass of cotton. I use alcohol to kill them...and make sure to use a cotton swab to actually remove them.

[Gin]

If not on the leaves of the plant I would suspect they are bugs that feed on the bark in the pot , there are a few that do that especially if the bark is getting old . If this is right I would re pot the plant into fresh mix . Gin

[Daemos]

Some bugs feed on the roots. Do they do that also with orchids?? These root feeders nearly killed my plant collection. Repotting is the solution. Also after removal of the substrate dip the roots in warm (40 C MAX) water to make sure every bug gets killed for good. Works 99,99% of the time. If not... ohw well long live imidacloprid

[paphlovian]

It really hasn't been that long since I've repotted (under a year). Isn't that too frequent potting? Is there another way to try to rid the plant of the pests other than repotting or using harsh chemicals? Could these be insects that are not hurting the plant?

Thanks for all your comments! I'm quite a beginner (I accumulated many orchids quickly!) and have lots to learn. This orchid board helps me learn!

[Marty]

These could be springtails. Completely harmless decomposers. I culture them actually to feed to my baby frogs.