Bugs on Vanda roots

[craigherb]

I have a couple of mature Vanda's that are in small baskets supported over vases with gravel in.

I've noticed recently lots of pin head sized dark brown/black, hard shelled bugs that seem to feed on or draw moisture from the roots of the plants. Never seen them on the foliage.

I mist once or twice a day with rain water. I have used Provado ultimate bug killer aerosol into the vase once, it clears most of them but they have multiplied again.
Theres no webbing so don't think it's red spider mite.

Would anyone know what they could be?
Would it be safe for the roots to use Prov UBK that you mix with water, to drench the roots properly instead?

Don't want to damage the plants but would like to clear them before they harm the plants.

Any ideas or advice gratefully received

Craig

[Zoi2]

If you could post a picture of the pests someone will be able to identify them. Once identified, you will be able to find a treatment to get rid of them.
Joann

[Blueszz]

I wonder if these insects could be black aphids? In the past I've seen a question like yours but I can't remember where and I can't find it back using Google.
You can get rid of lots of aphids by spraying the plant with water, really hose it down where you see the insects. During summer I even water my Vanda's over head, like giving them an artificial rain shower - but I always make sure the temperature is very nice and that there is a strong wind so that they dry up quickly. (<--- just in case you are dealing with aphids).

As long as you don't know what you are dealing with it's hard to give you a good advise. I only can tell you that I used Admire on my orchids with great success in the past. I used it to dunk the pots/roots as a systemic and also as a contact insecticide. When I use it as contact insecticide I always use a bit of dish washer soap as a spreader. Until now I haven't seen really bad side effects on my plants, even flowers held. Only on a Phal. pulchra the roots stopped growing but that could be a coincidence as non of the other orchids did the same after I used Admire.

A picture would be very helpful!
Nicole

[craigherb]

Thanks for your advise, i'll try and post photos.

Craig

[Blueszz]

I should mention I never had to use Admire on my Vanda's, not on the species I have and not on the hybrids. So I really can't tell for sure they can cope with it, but I used it on many other orchids, mainly Phals but also on Paph's, Oncidiums and Dendrobiums.