Orchids can be affected by quite a variety of pests. They’re generally tough when you care for them well, but knowing how to deal with the most common pests is a good idea in case they do become infested.
So if you’re worried about your orchid being affected I’m going to take you through the most common pests and how to treat them so your orchid continues to grow and be healthy.
1. Aphids
Aphids are small, soft bodied insects that can be green, black, red or yellow. They feed on the sap of young orchid shoots, leaves and flower buds.
This can mean your orchid doesn’t grow properly, ending up distorted, and may also transmit diseases to other. And as aphids leave behind a sticky substance known as honeydew, this can lead to sooty mold growing on them too.
Control Methods
Manual Removal: A strong blast of water can dislodge aphids from orchids. If you’ve got a bad infestation then a mix of water and mild dish soap works best. Just spray the areas where the aphids are and leave.
Horticultural Oils: Horticultural oil works well at smothering the aphids.
Natural Predators: Ladybugs and lacewings will eat aphids so bringing them into your garden (if that’s where your orchids are) can reduce the problem.
2. Spider Mites
Spider mites can cause some real damage. They’re tiny little insects that absolutely love the hot and dry weather and conditions.
They will suck sap from orchid leaves, which causes them to turn yellow and develop a speckled look. Some species of spider mites also spin webs which can help when you’re trying to identify what they are.
Control Methods
Increase Humidity: Spider mites hate humidity. So to get rid of them mist your orchid. Alternatively you can put your plant near a humidifier.
Mite Specific Treatments: Acaricides or miticides will be needed if you’ve got a very severe infestation. Remove any webs before you begin your treatment so the chemicals can reach the pests.
Homemade Remedies: A mixture of dish soap, water and some running alcohol applied to your orchid every week can really keep spider mites away.
3. Scale Insects
Scale insects are definitely one of the most common and dangerous pests for orchids. You can spot them as small and raised bumps on then stems and leaves of your orchid.
They suck the plant’s sap, causing yellow leaves, poor growth and generally a weaker orchid.
Control Methods
Manual Removal: If the infestation isn’t bad then scraping them off with a toothbrush you’ve dipped in alcohol will work.
Systemic Insecticides: Worse infestations will probably need insecticides to get rid of them fully. The orchid will absorbed the insecticides and poison the scales when they feed.
Neem Oil: If you want to stop them from coming back the applying neem oil will wood by messing with their lifecycle.
4. Mealybugs
Mealybugs are quite similar to scales in how they feed but they are much easier to spot. They look a lot like cotton, so when you see them on your orchid they’re hard to miss.
However they get round this by hiding in the leaves and stems, and you may not notice them until your orchid starts to really suffer.
Control Methods
Isolation: You don’t want the mealybugs to spread so isolate the orchids that are infested.
Insecticidal Soap: Put insecticidal soap directly on the mealybugs. You might have to repeat this every 10 to 14 days until they’re fully gone.
Rubbing Alcohol: Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and then dab each mealybug. It gets through their protective coating and kills then.
5. Thrips
Thrips are tiny, winged insects. They can cause a lot of damage to orchids as they suck the sap from the leaves and flowers. They are drawn to blossom that is bright in color and can cause flowers to become discolored or even deformed.
Control Methods
Blue Sticky Traps: Adult thrips can be caught using blue strictly traps.
Systemic Insecticides: Like with scales, a systemic insecticide can help if the infestation is out of control.
Neem Oil and Pyrethrin Sprays: Both work well, especially together, and they can be used on both the insects and the orchid itself.
6. Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are small flies that are more of a nuisance than a direct threat. But saying that their larvae can hurt orchid roots as they feed on the potting medium the roots live in. So not the worst of the pests on this list but still a danger.
Control Methods
Dry Out the Potting Medium: Let the top layer of the potting mix dry out after every water. Fungus gnats love moisture so this will help to kill them and keep them away from the mix.
Sticky Traps: Yellow sticky traps can help control adult gnats.
Repotting: If the infestation gets severe you may have to repot your orchid entirely. Fresh putting medium gets rid of the the breeding gnats.
Kate’s Garden Plant Spray for Insects and Gnats
7. Snails and Slugs
Slugs and snails are usually a problem for outdoor orchids. They have the potential to cause big issues and damage as they will chew holes in the leaves, stems and flowers.
Control Methods
Hand Picking: Removing them from your orchid by hand is fairly easy. Check them at night with a flashlight and simply life off any snugs or snails you find.
Slug Baits: Sluggo and other baits can be placed around your orchids and will control them.
Copper Tape: It may sound odd but putting copper tape around the edges of your orchid pots makes a barrier that both slugs and snails won’t cross.
Preventing Pests in the Future
Stopping pests is always easier than having to treat an infestation. A few tips to help keep your orchids free of pests:
Regular Inspections: Try to inspect your orchids on a regular basis. This is especially a good idea when you’re watering or repotting them. If you can catch any pests early on you’ll be able to stop something fairly minor from turning in to a major problem.
Isolation: Quarantining new plants before putting them with any others is always recommended. You don’t know what pests are hiding in them and could be ready to spread to your healthy plants. Better to be safe rather than sorry.
Proper Airflow: Good air flow around your orchids is important as lots of pests do best in humid and stagnant conditions.
Clean Growing Area: Pests like hiding in soil, dirt, debris etc. so keep where you grow your orchids clean.
Watering Practices: Water your orchids in the morning as it will let any moisture left over on the leaves dry out before the night. This will help stop fungus infections that attract pests.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with pests on your orchids can be frustrating. But it doesn’t take a lot to treat them and keep your orchids healthy.
Regular monitoring and taking action quickly are the best way to protect them from nasty visitors. The methods for treating them we’ve been through here will either keep them at bay or kill off any you’ve got. And so you should be well prepared for any pests that you find in your orchids.
