What to Do When Orchids Get Bugs? Common Pest Control Methods

Orchids are plants, so of course it is inevitable that they will get bugs. There are so many varieties of pests that it is very hard for anyone who is not a professional to tell them apart one by one. Haoshe Farmer simply divides them into three types: root-chewing, leaf-eating, and flower-eating.

1. The most common root-chewing pest is the cutworm, along with some pests brought in by the potting medium. Using ordinary sprays against this kind of pest is basically useless, because the liquid cannot reach down into the potting soil, making the pests hard to eliminate. And drenching the roots risks affecting the orchid roots, so what should you do? Haoshe Farmer suggests referring to crop pest control methods: first mix insecticide (farm supply stores carry many kinds) with fine sand to make poisoned soil, then blend it into the potting medium. Alternatively, put highly concentrated poisoned soil into a small gauze bag and place it inside the bottom of the pot, where it can fumigate the pests to death.

2. Leaf-eating pests can be dealt with by spraying, but for some stubborn ones (scale insects), you need to first wipe them off by hand and destroy them away from the garden, then apply pesticide spray. The best time to spray is in the evening, as this is when the pests feed, and the liquid does not evaporate easily, so some systemic pesticides can slowly penetrate into the leaves.

3. Flower-eating pests are mostly aphids, and aphids reproduce extremely quickly. Aphids secrete a very sticky sap that harms not only the flowers but also the leaves quite badly. As soon as you spot them, use pesticide immediately. Farm supply stores have a type of imidacloprid that works very well against aphids. When spraying, be sure to spray evenly and thoroughly, and do not miss a single leaf or petal.