Pinhead size crawlies on Phal

[Newby phal grower]

There are pinhole-size black and brownish crawling pests on my phal. I re-potted but they are still there. I've been using potato slices for weeks, but they seem to be breeding faster than I can eliminate them. Is there an appropriate pesticide that can be used? I'd like to get rid of them - they nearly destroyed one of the others. Many thanks for help.

[sweetjblue]

Is it possible to get a pic of your pests? That will go along way in identifying them and the possible cure to your problem.


Judi

[Newby phal grower]

I'll try later today. But they are VERY tiny and they move VERY fast.

[Newby phal grower]

Here is one of the little devils. I enlarged the image - they really are the size of pinholes.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It's hard to tell from the photo you've provided, but it looks like an adult fungus gnat.

If they're not, try looking up photos of springtails and see if they are these little critters. Not all springtails are white.

[Newby phal grower]

I think they're fungus gnats. Is there an appropriate pesticide? Or a more effective method than the potato slices? Thanks.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Bayer products are pretty good. Fungus gnats are easy to get rid of.

[katrina]

The adults (flying stage) do not feed. The larva can be killed with Mosquito Dunks. I use the granules...soak them in some water overnight and water the next day. Kills them pretty quickly and it's a safer alternative to "pesticides".

I can't see whatever it is in your pic. You say they destroyed another plant? How? What happened? Fungus gnats don't typically destroy a plant...at least not in my experience.

[rbarata]

In general, both springtails and fungus gnats are your friends because they don't destroy your plants but gives you an indication that the medium has decayed to a point where there's organic rotten material (that's their food source).

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don’t really trust fungus gnat larvae. I’ve seen them eat healthy roots too. If the potting media is changed out and/or if the amount of water the plants receive is reduced, it can decrease the likelihood that more fungus gnats will proliferate in the potting media. But if the plant already has fungus gnat larvae hiding amongst the roots, it is best to do away with them. The larvae look like a tiny transparent caterpillar with a black head.

If mosquito dunks work for fungus gnats, that’s a great way to control their population in your orchid collection.