Just like any other houseplant, exotic orchids aren’t immune to uninvited guests. When it comes to pests and parasites, the golden rule is: the earlier you spot them, the better your chances of saving your plant! That’s why I always recommend giving your orchids a quick “check-up” every time you water them. Keep an eye out for anything unusual so you can nip a potential infestation in the bud.
Common Orchid Pests and Parasites
Even the popular Phalaenopsis (the classic Moth Orchid) can fall victim to a few common troublemakers:
- Various types of lice and scale
- Spider mites
Dealing with Different Types of Lice
Lice and scale are some of the most frequent pests you’ll run into. The main culprits are:
- Aphids,
- Mealybugs (those fuzzy white ones),
- and Scale insects.
Here is how you can tell who has moved in:
- Aphids are usually green, yellow, brown, or black and love to hang out on the undersides of leaves.
- Mealybugs look like tiny, white, waxy cotton balls.
- Scale insects have a hard, protective shell; the males even have wings!
If you spot them, start by giving your orchid a lukewarm shower to wash away as many as possible. You can fight back against most of these pests with a simple DIY solution of water and insecticidal soap (or a mild dish soap). For those tough-shelled scale insects, try dabbing them with a bit of rubbing alcohol first to soften their armor.
It’s super important to act fast so they don’t spread to your other plant babies. Plus, these pests secrete a sticky substance called “honeydew,” which is the perfect breeding ground for fungal issues like sooty mold. By cleaning the leaves with your soapy solution, you’re removing the pests and their sticky mess all at once!
Spider Mites
Spider mites are another common headache. You’ll know you have them if you see tiny white webs on the leaves or stems, or if the leaves start looking speckled with a weird silvery sheen.
First step: give the plant a good rinse under the faucet to knock off the webs. To really get rid of them, I recommend using a Neem oil-based insecticide—you can find these at any local garden center or online. If the infestation is really stubborn, you might need to step up to a specific miticide (acaricide) like “Kanemite” to get the job done.
How to Prevent Pest Infestations
The best defense is a good offense! You can prevent most pest problems just by giving your orchid the TLC it needs. Make sure it’s in the right spot with plenty of light, high humidity, and proper watering habits.
A happy, healthy orchid is much more resilient than a stressed one. If your plant is thriving, it’ll have a much easier time bouncing back if a few pests do decide to drop by. Keep those orchids healthy, and they’ll reward you with beautiful blooms for years to come!
