Red Mites

[Amanda L]

The orchid I'm caring for at work as red mites on it. I haven't noticed them until this morning. There's a new Hyacinth I was gifted last week, they may have come from that, as it sits right next to it. I don't see any mites on the hyacinth though. What do you think they are, and how do I eradicate them? I'll be taking this orchid home in a few weeks and putting it in the terrarium with my other chids. I'm not putting it in there with mites, though.

Thanks!

[DeaC]

St. Augustine Orchid Society - North Florida Orchid Growing Check this for great info. on pests and diseases.

[flexdc]

Mites hate humidity and water.
I would try soaking the entire plant in a bucket of water for about 1/2 hour and see if that helps.
Do it for a few days.
This is the non-toxic method I use. If not, buy some insecticide and then carpet bomb them! Lol

[katrina]

If they are large enough to see easily and they move super fast...they could be beneficials.

[wintergirl]

Most mites can not be seen by the naked eye. The only way you will know is to look at the mites under a digital microscope. They are on Ebay for around $15.