Gnats have appeared in the orchid: effective ways to get rid of them

Orchids don't require complex care, but they're not always immune to disease. They're primarily susceptible to various flower pests, such as aphids and gnats. When gnats infest your orchids, they need to be removed carefully but quickly. Controlling them is quite possible with specialized treatments.

Why do midges appear and what types of them are there?

The appearance of gnats may be caused by using commercially available soil. After planting and watering, black gnats and their larvae appear on the foliage. They begin to reproduce and infest other nearby plants.

The main reasons for the appearance of midges:

• transfer;
• buying low-quality soil in the store;
• insufficient care.

It is not always possible to avoid the appearance of pests, which means you need to learn how to get rid of the problem once it has already occurred.

To know how to remove a particular species, you need to "get acquainted" with the characteristics of the pests and understand how to get rid of gnats in orchids.

Orchids can be affected by:

• sciarids;
• whiteflies;
• thrips;
• Drosophila;
• fungus gnats;
• fruit flies.

Sciarids are the oldest known insect species. Over 20,000 species are known. The most common remain:

• sciara;
• lycoriella;
• Bradzia.

The danger is that it is impossible to completely remove them at home.

Fungus gnats are considered the most harmless pests on orchid leaves. Signs of infestation:

• the soil does not dry out even after two days without watering;
• there are no spots or silvery coating on the leaves;
• Flying insects fly out of the soil in an orchid pot.

The danger comes from the larvae that attack the roots of the flower.

Whiteflies – the appearance of this insect is facilitated by high temperatures and excessive humidity in the room where the orchid is growing. Whiteflies are found on the underside of leaves, but they are easily spotted by lightly brushing the leaf with your hand. They get their name from their white wings. These insects can cause viral diseases.

Symptoms of damage:

• the flower stops growing;
• yellow "mosaic" spots appear on the leaves;
• the shape is deformed, the surface becomes covered with black spots and turns yellow.

During warmer months, whiteflies can be carried by the wind.

To get rid of gnats at home, it's recommended to treat the phalaenopsis (the process varies depending on the variety) with a soapy solution, brushing off any residue with a brush, as the larvae cling to the surface quite strongly. It's advisable to plant potted nasturtiums near the orchids, as these insects dislike their pungent odor. Whiteflies are free-flying, so regular fly tape can be used to control them.

The following chemicals are suitable:

• Biotlin;
• Commando;
• Mospilan;
• Vertimek;
• Oberon;

Other compositions can also be used.

Drosophila is a fruit fly that flies in swarms. They resemble small, light-brown flies. Their eyes are red, and their bodies reach 4-5 mm in length. They reproduce rapidly, with females laying up to 400 eggs at a time.

Development lasts one day, and the larvae live for five days. On the sixth day, the adult insect begins to reproduce again. They appear in rotted soil due to overwatering. They settle in the upper layers of soil, causing no significant harm to the plant.

Drosophila are attracted to decay processes, for example, during:

• using tea leaves;
• peels of vegetables or fruits;
• excessive drying of the soil.

If midges of this type appear in your orchid, simply remove any food items that are susceptible to oxidation.

How to get rid of pests in your home

If you've already discovered gnats in your orchids, getting rid of them can be a serious problem. You can remove them using the following methods:

• using folk recipes;
• horticultural chemicals;
• by changing the soil.

If you have a midge infestation, you must first identify them, then remove the larvae and adults, and address the underlying causes. Various pests can be controlled using household remedies. Most orchids, like any flower, are susceptible to attacks from various insects, and not all gardeners trust trendy chemical solutions. If black or white midges appear on orchids, it's important to treat them immediately. For certain reasons, homeowners try to eliminate pests in orchid soil with natural remedies.

Small gnats in orchids are afraid of the following home solutions:

1. Press two cloves of garlic through a garlic press and pour hot water over them, then let them sit for 4-5 hours. Wipe the solution on all parts of the foliage.
2. Dissolve a tablespoon of sunflower or olive oil in half a liter of clean water and spray.
3. Soap solution - add a teaspoon of liquid soap to a glass of water and wipe the leaf surface.

The last recipe can also be used as a preventative measure to avoid small midges have appearedYou can make this composition and use it as soon as one of the symptoms of the disease appears.

Flowers can also be treated with chemicals. The following are considered the most suitable:

1. Fundazol – protects against all types of mildew, mold, and rot.
2. Fitosporin – protects against bacterial and fungal diseases; can be used for spraying and treating damaged leaves. Use only the liquid form.
3. Antibiotics.
4. Vitamin B.
5. Urea.
6. Chlorhexidine.
7. Iron chelate.
8. A mixture of succinic acid and glucose.
9. Epin.
10. Zircon, Actellik, Fitoverm, Apollo.
11. Nitrogen type fertilizers.
12. Based on a mixture of phosphorus and potassium.

Prevention

The easiest way to combat pests is before they have a chance to appear. Therefore, to combat diseases, you first need to eliminate the conditions that provoke them. If all care requirements are followed, the question of gnats in your orchid and how to get rid of them will not arise.

To prevent grey or white plaque from appearing on orchid leaves, preventative measures must be taken:

1. Spraying with conventional compounds.
2. Daily inspection of leaves for deviations from the norm.
3. Moderate watering and drought regime.
4. Use only clean gardening tools when replanting and during subsequent care.
5. Transfer flower in pure pot immediately after purchase.
6. A small number of flowers on the windowsill.

The methods listed will prevent the appearance of flower pests and ensure lush flowering.

Houseplants often harbor unpleasant and harmful pests. Many of them can completely destroy a flower, preventing it from blooming fully. To ensure your orchid thrives, it's important to provide it with good care and timely protection from pests. diseases and pests.