How to get rid of small midges on an orchid
If small midges are bred on orchids, you have to choose ways to deal with them. To do this, you should know exactly what kind of insects started on the indoor flower.
How to get rid of small midges on an orchid
Description of pests
The first step in effective insect control is identifying the species. Small midges on orchids can destroy the plant.
Sciarids
Another name for the parasite is mushroom mosquitoes. They are noticed when a dark flock has appeared over the plant. Black and deep gray small midges in orchids are 4 mm in length. Due to the 2 transparent wings, they look like mosquitoes. The appearance of the black cyriad is observed in autumn and spring, when the room is damp and cool. There is no harm to the plant from adults, but the larvae infect the roots of the plant, going deeper to a depth of 1 cm into the ground. The affected shoots and roots are quickly colonized by rot. As a result, the flower dies.
Whiteflies
If midges have started up in the orchid and fly over the flower, gathering in small white flocks, these are whiteflies. In appearance, these are dotted white insects up to 2 mm in length. The pest lays the larvae on the back of the leaves and along the entire length of the stem, leaving behind yellow streaks. During the full development cycle, the larva infects more than 50% of young processes. The affected flowerpot deforms the shape of the stem. The leaves gradually dry out.
Small midges on orchids can destroy the plant.
Fruit flies
Tiny midges in orchids with a yellow body color and red eyes are called fruit flies. They appear on the plant in any season. From eggs, adults grow in just 6 days. The size of an adult insect ranges from 5 mm. Often the appearance of these pests coincides with the process of feeding flowers and introducing food residues. Drosophila starts the process of plant decay.
Thrips
The elongated striped midges on orchids with appressed wings are called thrips. They live both on the ground, where they hide, and on the leaves, from which they feed. After the invasion of the parasite, the plant is covered with many black dots or a silvery film. The insect is especially active at night, so it is difficult to diagnose during the day.
Due to the large number of bites, the affected plant gradually dries out. The larvae of the pest infect only the leaves. If small midges are bred in the soil of the orchid, urgent measures are taken to get rid of them: the reproduction of pests occurs as soon as possible.
Top dressing with drugs
Before using chemicals, it is worthwhile to clearly recognize which midges are in the orchids. Correct identification of the parasite increases the chances of fighting it.
You can get rid of midges in orchids using the following control methods:
- Sciarids. Plants are processed in 3 stages. To destroy the insect on the leaves and stems, the well-known preparations "Reid", "Raptor" or "Neo Dichlorvos" are used. Under such conditions, the earth is necessarily etched with chemical preparations tapa "Bazudin" or "Thunder-2".The third stage is to disinfect the surface where the pot with the flowerpot was located. It is carried out with hydrogen peroxide or other disinfectant.
- Whiteflies. Treating leaves and stems from white pests is carried out with the preparations "Sherpa", "Aktara" or "Fury". The root part is not touched.
- Drosophila. To eliminate these pests, aerosols are used. The most popular among them is Dichlorvos. Aerosols "Hexachloran" and "Combat" show good efficiency. They are used strictly according to the instructions. After spraying, after half an hour, the room is ventilated.
- Thrips. This type of parasite is difficult to eliminate. In this case, the drugs "Actellik" and "Fitoverm" are used. Chemical treatment of parasites is carried out every 10 days until complete destruction. At the same time, the soil is washed under the shower with regularity once a month.
Preparations for fighting midges on an orchid
Folk remedies
If midges of small sizes are bred in the orchid, folk remedies help to get rid of them at home. Among the effective methods of struggle are:
- Garlic infusion. It is prepared following the proportion of 1 crushed head of garlic and 600 ml of boiled water per plant. Garlic filled with boiling water is left to infuse for 3-5 hours. After complete cooling, the leaves of the plant are treated. The pulp from the infusion is deepened into the soil: this gives additional protection against pests. Alternatively, several cut garlic cloves are buried in each infected flowerpot.
- A solution of potassium permanganate. The dosage of potassium permanganate is strictly observed, since the drug leaves burns on the indoor plant. A solution based on it is made as follows: 1 g of potassium permanganate is added to 1 liter of boiled and cooled water. The liquid should take on a pinkish tint. Spraying and watering with this solution is carried out no more than once every 8-10 days throughout the month.
- Soap solution. For preparation, take 25 g of finely ground gray laundry soap and pour 1 liter of warm water. After the soap is completely dissolved, the leaves of the plant are washed. The procedure is carried out 2-3 times a month in case of pest infestations.
- Vegetable oil. Add 1.5 tbsp to 1 liter of water. l. vegetable oil. The solution is used only for spraying the flowerpot.
- Ash. Wood ash is spread over the top of the soil and on the roots of the flowerpot. It will rid the houseplant of parasites and reduce the acidity of the soil.
- Sulfur. 4 matches are immersed in the soil with the wooden end up, and the top layer of the substrate is moistened with water. Matches are changed every 2 days.
Getting rid of midges at home
Additional methods of protection
To get rid of midges, flower lovers have tried different methods. For example, a vacuum cleaner and special traps are used as an addition to traditional methods. Before the treatment procedure, a hose from a vacuum cleaner is passed near the plant: this removes flying parasites from the indoor flower.
Commercial fly traps are also used to catch the parasite. A similar thing is done at home. For this:
- take yellow cardboard or thick paper painted in this color;
- a bright card is smeared with a thin layer of honey;
- the resulting product is hung around the flowerpot.
Periodically, the cartons are removed. Traps are changed frequently.
Prophylaxis
For the prevention of parasites, they adhere to the elementary rules of care. These precautions include:
- drying the soil in between waterings;
- moderate watering of the plant no more than once every 3-4 days;
- the absence of food near the flower that can undergo the decay process;
- holding the substrate in the freezer for 2-3 days before planting: this helps to get rid of eggs and larvae of parasites;
- timely removal of withering or damaged parts of the plant;
- carrying out periodic loosening of the soil;
- wiping the flower leaves with soapy water several times a year, excluding the flowering period.
To prevent parasites, they adhere to the rules of care
In order not to lure the midges, some actions limit:
- decorative moss is placed in a pot to an indoor plant;
- fertilization is carried out with tea, coffee grounds and egg shells.
- water the plant with infused water on bread crumbs.
Planting plants with a sticky layer on the leaves near orchids is a good prevention method. This serves as a barrier between the insects and the flower.
The key to a healthy plant and prevention is, first of all, proper care.
Conclusion
If flying midges appear near the indoor flower, all possible measures should be taken to combat it, because parasites greatly interfere with the normal growth of the flower. Timely assistance to the plant will get rid of pests and contribute to the luxurious flowering of the orchid.