Crickets?

[LizB88]

Hello everyone,

Because of the drought we are having here in CA, I am having to deal with a lot more pest on my orchids then I aver had to deal with, and this morning while I was misting I found what I think is a cricket.
Now I don't know if this is a good thing or not, I do however sprayed with homemade insecticidal soap once per month as a systemic preventive measure, but I don't know if this would take care of crickets.
The other question is how harmful are crickets to orchids, I know they are omnivorous,
Any advice?

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[WhiteRabbit]

I know grasshoppers will chow on plants (including orchids). Insecticidal soap probably has no effect on them (it may if they are sprayed directly, but I don't even know about that). When I find a grasshopper on one of my orchids, I usually just try to flick them off (I usually carry the plant over to some shrub, and flick it off there, hoping the cricket will be happy eating the shrub and stay away from the orchid) If you have plants with buds, you might bring them inside.

I wonder if neem oil might have some repellent effect ?

[MrHappyRotter]

Certain crickets can deal quite a bit of damage (and quickly too) to orchids. The cricket in your photo looks like it's one of the tree or bush crickets, which in my experience are the worst when it comes to eating tropicals.

They'll eat large chunks of leaves of many genera, they'll eat the entire tip of any exposed roots, and they gorge themselves on buds and flowers.

And if they make it indoors, be prepared for one of the loudest, most obnoxious, yet elusive indoor pests you could imagine.

Unfortunately, I doubt something like an insecticidal soap is going to be terribly effective (depending on circumstances). You may try Neem oil, though I can't vouch as to whether it repels crickets. Probably the best option would be to spray the vicinity with a long lasting contact insecticide, and to use a systemic insecticide directly on your plants.

If you're adverse to using pesticides, you pretty much will need to go out at night (these guys are nocturnal) and pick them off individually. They (at least the males do) have a loud and distinctive call, so that may help you determine their location.

[LizB88]

I know grasshoppers will chow on plants (including orchids). Insecticidal soap probably has no effect on them (it may if they are sprayed directly, but I don't even know about that). When I find a grasshopper on one of my orchids, I usually just try to flick them off (I usually carry the plant over to some shrub, and flick it off there, hoping the cricket will be happy eating the shrub and stay away from the orchid) If you have plants with buds, you might bring them inside.

I wonder if neem oil might have some repellent effect ?

Thanks WhiteRabbit,
I will grab the next one I see and take it down to the shrubs.

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

Certain crickets can deal quite a bit of damage (and quickly too) to orchids. The cricket in your photo looks like it's one of the tree or bush crickets, which in my experience are the worst when it comes to eating tropicals.

They'll eat large chunks of leaves of many genera, they'll eat the entire tip of any exposed roots, and they gorge themselves on buds and flowers.

And if they make it indoors, be prepared for one of the loudest, most obnoxious, yet elusive indoor pests you could imagine.

Unfortunately, I doubt something like an insecticidal soap is going to be terribly effective (depending on circumstances). You may try Neem oil, though I can't vouch as to whether it repels crickets. Probably the best option would be to spray the vicinity with a long lasting contact insecticide, and to use a systemic insecticide directly on your plants.

If you're adverse to using pesticides, you pretty much will need to go out at night (these guys are nocturnal) and pick them off individually. They (at least the males do) have a loud and distinctive call, so that may help you determine their location.

Thanks MrHappyRotter, I read your post earlier and Just came back from inspecting my plants, and could not find one bug, no chirping either, I was even expecting a slug or two (have not put any beer out lately), but nothing and No damage to any buds either. I guess the birds must have got to it before I did. I have a bird feeder and get lots of small, and large birds on the balcony as well as squirrels (who also are very gentle with my plants). I will keep and eye and ear open for this critters and make sure to get them before they get my chids.

Thanks again for all your help,