Hmmm...this is weird.

[reinbo15]

Hi, everyone. I have a Phal that I overwatered just a bit. I've been working on getting it dried out, and it looks like it's going to be just fine. My question is about some little bugs in the pot. There are springtails, which I know aren't a huge problem, but there are some very tiny worms in there! These things are about half a centimeter long, and completely clear except for their tiny black heads. There are only a couple of them, but I'm still trying to be cautious. Does anyone know what they might be and whether they are harmful? I would put up a photo, but they are so invisible that you'd never see them! Thanks for any info! I tried Googling the problem, but to no avail.

[cb977]

Hi
I've never heard of anything like that
I don't know if this will help but myaybe if you Google some of the pests mentioned here, you'll be able to find a description of what you're looking for:

Orchid Pests and their Management

[Ironwood]

The little worms would most likely be Nematodes, and there are almost as many types of these as orchids. Some are beneficial some are not.

[nancy]

They could be larva of fungus gnats, too.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by nancy

They could be larva of fungus gnats, too.

That's my vote as well. If so, you will soon see little black flies like fruit-flies appear. Best way to break that cycle is the sticky yellow fly-paper strips most box stores sell. I just got rid of my infestation of these guys. They don't cause (to my knowledge) any harm to orchids, but do feed on the fungus spores in rotting medium.

Now what caused them in the first place? Is your medium too wet? Mine is in a very moist orchidarium, where I cannot avoid wetness.

[reinbo15]

Oooh, thanks Ken, you hit the nail on the head. You wouldn't happen to know how to get rid of them, would you? I have some insecticidal soap with neem? Maybe? I'm not finding a lot on how to kill them except boiling water. I don't think my orchid would like that much! lol!

[Ironwood]

Neem oil with a little dish soap as a surfactant is something they do not like, as I have used it as a drench and it causes them to come to surface or drop out bottom to escape. I am not sure if it kills them (certainly doesn't instantaneously) or if they are affected long term. If I flush them into a pan and leave them overnight they die, but maybe they drown.

[Sedirea]

Hello!

I don´t know if that helps to get rid of the little black flys, but if you have problems with fruit-flys, there is a simple trick to get rid of them.

Mix water with vinegar and a splash of washing-up liqiud in an old glas or something similar what you don´t use for yourself (drinking etc.) and put it in the room where you have problem with these insects.
After a while they fly in there.

I use it to avoid to use insecticide. Friends of mine used it too and they also say it helps.

Bye Agnes

[mi xiao]

Originally Posted by Ironwood

The little worms would most likely be Nematodes, and there are almost as many types of these as orchids. Some are beneficial some are not.

aren't nematodes microscopic? [/university biology nightmare]

[Ironwood]

They can be microscopic or several feet long if it is in your intestine.