White bugs on host tree, should I be worried?
 

Hi everyone,
I have several orchids on a date palm, and today upon close inspection I noticed tons of tiny white bugs growing on the crevices between the trunk and the old palm leaves.

I washed them away with a hose and sprayed some neem oil just in case, but honestly I have no idea what they are.

The palm tree looks healthy, and I couldn't find any of the bugs on the orchids leaves or roots.

Does anyone know what these are? Should I be worried?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s3...=w1137-h853-no

Looks like many immature scale insects, and probably could spread to the orchids. The neem treatment was probably a good start, but may not be enough. Can the orchids be moved?

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I can't move them. The are quite a few orchids on that tree and I don't have any space left elsewhere.

I'll try to check every other day and keep spraying the neem oil. If this turns into an infestation then I'll have to figure out what to do, since it will probably affect the other trees around it as well.

I've been working on this garden for 7 or 8 years now, and have never had a problem with scales or mealy bugs. During spring I have a lot of lady bugs around and I think they keep them under control.

Another begginer question - I have sprayed plants with neem oil without any issues, but I've never used it on orchids. Is it safe?

Neem is commonly used on orchids. Flowers or buds might be more sensitive, as with any spray. If you're very cautious just spray a leaf or 2 and give it a few days.

Imacloporid, two doses two weeks apart. If you are worried, a third dose after another two weeks. I have hit orchids hard with this stuff. It doesn't seem to phase them.

It is sure death to scale.

white bugs
 

I use it on my Orchids regularly. It is safe, just be sure to get into the crevices of the leaves and bulbs. A note...I have to use it because I did not isolate new arrivals! I got a scale infestation which appears to be gone...after a long, long time.

I will spray neem regularly until the scales are gone. It definitely wasn't a new orchid, as I do isolate them in my house for quite some time before planting outside.

I guess it's just bad luck. Forntunately, as I mentioned, it hasn't affected any of the orchids so far.

Thanks everyone!

---------- Post added at 06:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:17 PM ----------

I'll keep this in mind in case it gets worse, but for now I'll keep using neem. Thank you!

Trust me on this, that stuff is gold. It would be nice to use natural things and not nasty chems, but certainly for me, using natural products just means the problem keeps coming back.

I used to have a nursery business. I used alot of Marathon ( brand name for it). I asked my suppliers if it was taken up by the plant in Systemic fashion...wouldn't eventually end up in the flowers and harm pollinators. They assured me not but, now we see it harming honey bees and we have so few butterflies. The State Nursery inspector was here Friday ( for a different matter) and she confirmed what I just told you. Indoors, I'd use it, outdoors only if absolutely necessary! However, my Phals are in a greenhouse window right over my kitchen sink. So, yes you are correct, it is death on scale but what else?

If you aren't sure what's on your tree, call your county ag agent. That's what they get paid for and most have helpful ideas. And if I stepped on any toes I apologize in advance . It was not my intent.

Find a university near you. Contact an entomologist or an agricultural scientist and send them the photos. This may be an insect native to your area, and you will have to control them rather than eliminate them.