Worms and tiny centipede(?) like bugs in orchid bark mix

[Jo Ann]

For fear of being verbally beaten here…. here goes…I like to use a Concentrate systemic but of course all my plants are grown outdoors the smell is awful and I would never recommend it to be used indoors it is a powerful poison. This is my personal preference for getting rid of the bugs because they can be pretty bad here in Florida. I find that this method works the best for me. This is probably not much help. I am in no way suggesting that you try this. I’ve been trying to find the granular form spraying at times can be a pain. (slinks back to her corner covering her head)

[Grandma M]

Where in Michigan are you? The GVOS orchid show is being held in Grand Rapids Feb 2-3.

[alligator1]

I am in St. Clair Shores MI. I do belong to the Michigan Orchid Society. The people I e mailed in our society gave me only remedies that could be used in a Greenhouse or in Summer (use out of doors). Since I seem to be over run especially with the garden centipedes I have started to use the mixture of neem oil/soap/water and they definitely do not like this and unlike the Safer Soap (they did not die with this) die (the ones I can see) almost immediately. Under lights (where I grow) I removed the clay aggregate that I use for humidity and placed each orchid on a small round glass dish because the centipedes and worms would swim in the aggregate & water (disgusting) so now I can see what if anything is in the water that I use for humidity. Boy did I learn a lesson-not to purchase anything that is outside and if I do to make sure that I drench it in something before I let it get near my other orchids!!!

[adlemsi]

I'm having the same problem with a Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance' compot with three seedling. I first noticed a long skinny brown worm, I think it had a red tip. When I tried to pull it out with a plastic fork, it quickly crawled deep into the medium. I soaked the whole pot in a Physan 20/water solution for 10 minutes and one small white worm crawled out, which I made sure to drown. Also, a bunch of little bugs floated into the water and there were area with a white bubbly film over the medium.

Today I was rubbing 3% Hydrogen Peroxide with q-tips on the base of the plant and another little white worm crawled to the surface (I killed that one too).

I don't know if I should repeat the Physan 20/water solution soak tomorrow morning or if I should wait a week to do it.I really want to kill off all the pests that are residing in the compot, as I don't want the infestation to spread to the rest of my collection. I am keeping this and another orchid (with no signs of pests) secluded to prevent spreading of pests.

I was also thinking I might need to repot the compot, but I'm nervous about moving the seedlings. I want to make sure I have effectively killed all pests before I repot.

[alligator1]

Mine was a nightmare. I had gotten 5 plants from another member and even though I repotted them they had garden centipede eggs and worms. I would take THIS ORCHID OUTSIDE AND PURCHASE SOME MALATHION and use according to instructions and drench it (pour through medium). Make sure that where you use this malathion that no animals, kids can get to. I did it behind the garage and blocked it entirely off. Then I let the plants stay outside in the shade all day to let the stink from this chemical air out. Do not do this inside and remember this chemical can harm pets, kids and you. Wear gloves and some type of glasses when pouring it through your plant (s). Never again will I ever put plants outside or take any plant from someone who had it outside as I lost quite a few orchids!

[adlemsi]

Thanks for the advice, alligator 1!! I was thinking of pouring undiluted 3% Hydrogen Peroxide into the medium, but I guess I'll have to buy Melathion. How many times (and how often) did you use it until the pest problem was solved? Should I repot the compot after I get rid of the pests? How can I make sure the seedlings won't go into shock?

[adlemsi]

I managed to get rid of all the worms (there were three) with a second soak in Physan 20. I repotted in s/h so hopefully it'll be easier to care for.

[Cookiemonster]

It sounds like you and I are in the same boat haha.
I think the listerine spray that was mentioned earlier might help, but your doing compots hmmm we're in diff situations.

Thank goodness its not that humid here, so these little buddies will die off fast, or so I hope anyhow best of luck to you, if the listerine doesnt work i'll try to physan soak!

[adlemsi]

Thanks, Cookiemonster! to you too!!

If you do opt for the Physan 20 soak, make sure not to pour it down your drain, as it is harmful to fish and is highly toxic. I dispose of used Physan behind my house on a big pile of weeds and cut grass. Keep pets and children away from the area of disposal as well.