2 problems: two bugs on orchid bark (only)

[sistercja]

Originally Posted by Pete

I grow phals indoors under lights. Many of my plants are in a bark mix, with others in sphag.

Today after watering my phals in the bark medium, I noticed these miniscule white insects (maybe 1mm, don't seem to fly) emerge onto the bark, They seem to just wander around on the moist bark as they don't try to get on the leaves of the orchid. Once the top drys a bit, they disappear (presumably deeper into the mix where it is most). My orchids are growing vigorously and show no signs of ill health.

Does anyone know what these insects are and if they are harmful to the orchid. It does not appear as if they are harmful, but I do not like bugs of any kind on my orchids.


Also, I purchased Organocide and plan to water the bark orchids with this concoction when they are next due watering.

(1) I found this description from a while ago (2010) - and it suits my problem. I also heave these little brown bugs (the size of a thin pencil dot, round-shaped). While searching the web, I found that it might be Soil Mite (Oribatidae Family).
They don't seem to be doing any harm; they just stick to the bark (running around it busily)

(2) The other pest is a silvery bug, slim shiny no more than 1mm long, moving around very fast. I work in a nursery, so I know how Thrips look like - and it does not look like one for me. Thrips tend to stick to flowers (none of my orchids are in bloom) - and I don't find them on leaves, plus Thrips are slightly longer than those. Unfortunately it's impossible to take a picture (too fast, too small).
Some people say it might be springtale, but again I'm not convinced... Is there a chance that it's something different?


Both of these bugs I noticed only after I placed a piece of an apple (while trying to catch a stubborn snail).
I've sprayed my orchidarium with Plant Rescue (yellow bottle: westland garden health) and i've tried Pyrethrum 5 EC (suggested to me by a pest specialist) - the latter is used against Thrips in glasshouses. None worked.

I've read about Neem Oil - that it's helpful. Do you agree with it? Have any of you tried Organocide? Does it work?

I've got about 30 orchids in my orchidarium, temperature is about 25-27C (77-81F) day and 19C (66F) night, humidity 70-85%.


I hope you can help me...