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

alligator1 · #1 12-31-2007, 01:20 PM

Hi. I am kind of new to orchids. I live in Michigan and purchased several plants from a member that was getting rid of most of her orchids. They were outside at the time (summer) so upon bringing them home I noted little skinny worms and little centipede (?) like bugs in the orchid bark mix. Since I was repotting I figured all would be ok. Boy was I wrong. Now most if not all of my plants have the worms and little centipede like bugs in the bark and crawling in my humidity trays (I grow under lights). PLEASE does anyone know what I can use on these pests. Tried Safer pest spray but this does not seem to work. Should I repot all of them but what do I spray with since I think I missed the eggs (?) or something since I repotted the initial 5 that I bought. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Ross · #2 12-31-2007, 01:41 PM

I am not aware of anything you can use safely in the home. Others here may come up with a home remedy, but I think you nailed it: there were eggs you missed when you repotted or you didn't clean the roots well enough. This is one reason mine all stay indoors all year. Sorry I can't really help, but welcome to the board anyway.

ladyslipper · #3 01-01-2008, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alligator1

Hi. I am kind of new to orchids. I live in Michigan and purchased several plants from a member that was getting rid of most of her orchids. They were outside at the time (summer) so upon bringing them home I noted little skinny worms and little centipede (?) like bugs in the orchid bark mix. Since I was repotting I figured all would be ok. Boy was I wrong. Now most if not all of my plants have the worms and little centipede like bugs in the bark and crawling in my humidity trays (I grow under lights). PLEASE does anyone know what I can use on these pests. Tried Safer pest spray but this does not seem to work. Should I repot all of them but what do I spray with since I think I missed the eggs (?) or something since I repotted the initial 5 that I bought. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi there, I wonder if Neem Oil would help? As you may have missed the eggs, you will have to be patient and (unfortunately) keep killing the bugs as they go through their life cycle and I think Neel Oil interrupts their ability to reproduce (others can correct me if I am wrong on this please).

Slightly off topic and depending how big your grow area is (mine is quite tiny) but if you place a small carnivorus plant amoungst your orchids, this along with good air circulation can help with the battle against things like fungas gnats & mites in their flying stage. I am amazed that this has worked for me.
I hope this helps, keep reading this board as the participants are incredibly supporting and love giving opinions & help with diagnosing problems where they can. The other thing I cannot stress enough is to join an orchid club in your area as what works in one region of the country (or in another country) may not work in yours.

Kindest regards, m

Pippin · #4 01-01-2008, 08:49 PM

I don't think any oil or soap will do the trick. The problem is down in the medium. I would go for a drench. My first 3 options would be Merit, Malathion, Sevin.

alligator1 · #5 01-02-2008, 03:05 PM

Thanks to all for your input. When you say a "drench" You would mean---say putting Malathion mixed with water in a pail and then immersing the medium (bark) into this water? How long would you immerse the plant--a couple of minutes or? Thanks

Ross · #6 01-02-2008, 03:13 PM

Normally a "drench" could either be as you say, or a watering pot full of insecticide mix poured through the medium. Please take care when doing this in house. Keep that stuff off your hands, counters, dishes, etc. They are powerful chemicals for normal use outdoors or in a greenhouse.

Pippin · #7 01-02-2008, 05:56 PM

The community bath is always a bad idea. Pouring the insecticide solution through the medium is the way to go.
Read carefully the label and prepare your solution accordingly.

alligator1 · #8 01-02-2008, 06:09 PM

Thanks for all of the info. I also found out that they are probably millipedes not centipedes and that these bugs eat the bark not the plant. Also that I have to wait to it is warm enough in Michigan to do this outside that I do not want to do this inside with this insecticide as it is not safe (the fumes). I hope that I can last that long as these millipedes multiply fast. A sad but learning lesson for me!

alligator1 · #9 01-17-2008, 10:42 AM

I was not sure I would wait until Summer to kill these pests so I did buy some Dyna Grow Neem Oil and sprayed the leaves of the plants and then drenched them individually (I mixed the Neem Oil as per the bottle says with dish soap and water). The garden centipedes and whatever the worms are started coming out of the medium fast and this morning I found a lot of them dead. Only time will tell if this killed the eggs. So Neem Oil might possibly be a safe indoor alternative!

grlhiggins · #10 01-17-2008, 11:22 PM

this is my secret "green' alternative to pesky bugs

for a gallon of water add 2 tablespoons of baking soda, vegetable oil and dish soap. (that is 2 tblspoons of each of the ingredients.)

I would first remove all potting medium and douse the plant with the miixture. you can clean your pot with plain listerine to get all the funk out. then repot with fresh medium. if your medium is stored- be sure to check there are no pests in that.

good luck

good luck.