A Guide to Orchid Pest Control

By D Swain

It is common for orchid growers to have problems with various pests. Calling an exterminator for orchid pest control is often unnecessary as well as expensive. There are things that you can do to deal with these pests yourself. This article will discuss common methods of orchid pest control.



Spider Mites

The first part of orchid pest control focuses on spider mites. They can be some of the most troublesome pests for orchid growers. Most plants usually have mites, and they feed on plant sap by the thousands. You should keep the humidity high to control spider mites, especially during the winter. You can also try using predatory mites or spraying the plants with water on a regular basis.

Aphids

Aphids are also a focus of orchid pest control. These tiny insects can damage the plants by sucking juices. They are also capable of carrying a virus from one plant to the next. Since aphids develop resistance to insecticides quickly, the best method of orchid pest control for these insects is spraying the plants with water on a regular basis. Lady beetles and small, predatory wasps also help control the aphid population.

Mealybugs

Another part of orchid pest control deals with mealybugs. These insects also suck plant juices, but do not spread diseases. If they are not kept under control, they will become a big problem. You should keep any new plants away from your other plants for a few weeks to make sure they are not infected with mealybugs. Since mealybugs have a waxy covering, water-based insecticides do not perform well. The best way to deal with an infestation is to remove each one with a dental pick.

Scales

One of the next areas of orchid pest control is scales. Scales are small insects related to aphids. They feed on plant juices and are usually found on stems and leaves. You should regularly check your plants for aphids. If you spot some, you simply need to scrape them off using a sponge or tissue.

These are the best methods of orchid pest control. If you regularly check and clean your plants, they will be fine. There is no need for you to call an expensive exterminator for orchid pest control.



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