Need help choosing an insect preventative
 

Hi everyone! I have just moved (with all of my orchids!) from chilly New England to warm and humid North Carolina, so I am now encountering different orchid problems than I have seen in the past.

I have my orchids outside on my screen porch, which is not insect proof. I have been finding lots of crickets and grasshoppers in my orchid pots. Does anyone know if they will eat orchids? What do people recommend to prevent insect damage to outdoor orchids? I have looked around on the forum, but I couldn't seem to find a definitive answer on what type of general insecticide is best for prevention. Thank you for your help!

Crickets and grasshoppers will eat almost anything. Screening them out is the only practical solution. Preventive bug spraying is a bad idea. It kills beneficial bugs that eat the bad ones, and selects for bugs resistant to the pesticides you use.

Hey there, "biology".

I moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina just shy of two years ago, and I grow my plants out on the deck, totally unprotected, seven – eight months of the year. While I do see the occasional little cricket, for the most part my plants have been pest free.

Granted we do have the outside of the house treated quarterly to prevent insect infestation, so that probably helps, but I agree that preventive treatment of your plants is to be avoided.

However, if you look for a product named "Hot Pepper Wax", it can be sprayed on your plants to be something of a deterrent. If you search the Internet, you might find a do-it-yourself recipe, usually including garlic and jalapenos.

Try essential oils like garlic, peppermint, orange oil etc. I would start with Neem oil extract. Get the concentrated extract (not the ready spray).

I have been using it for rollie-pollies and spring tails on the roots. Good luck. Let us know when you find a solution.

Paco de Lucia
www.inayaorchids.com

Thank you for your help! I will try hot pepper wax and neem oil and see how it goes.

I agree with estación seca, that Crickets and grasshoppers will eat almost anything.