/ Register

Welcome to OrchidsForum.com. We are a friendly online community for Orchid Growers all over the world. If you haven't joined yet we invite you to register and join our community. Hope to see you on our forums!

Help! Little black bugs.. Springtails?

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Jgrimm1055, Apr 11, 2017.

  1. Apr 11, 2017 #1
    Jgrimm1055

    Jgrimm1055 Jonathan loves Masdevallias!

    Messages:
    253
    Likes Received:
    231
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Does anyone know what these are? They seem to jump. Maybe springtails? I don't know what it is. Is this something bad that will hurt my orchids? Or just a little bug crawling around doing its thing? I've seen a good number of them. If there something I need to get rid of please let me know how. This is my first bug problem. I grow a lot of Pleurothallids Masdevallia, Dracula etc... I know they can be sensitive so is there something I could use to treat these kind of orchids? Thank for your help orchid friends! I've lucked out for a long time not having any pests. Screenshot_20170411-140149.png Screenshot_20170411-140135.png Screenshot_20170411-140334.png Screenshot_20170411-140314.png Screenshot_20170411-140302.png Screenshot_20170411-140242.png Screenshot_20170411-140442.png Screenshot_20170411-140342.png
     
  2. Apr 11, 2017 #2
    Fumiaki Takahashi

    Fumiaki Takahashi miniature orchidaholic

    Messages:
    295
    Likes Received:
    88
    Location:
    Georgia
    I looks like a Sminthuridae springtail.
    They eat decaying matter.
    They should not be a problem but they reproduce extreamly quickly.
    Hope this helps:)
     
    Jgrimm1055 likes this.
  3. Apr 12, 2017 #3
    Fumiaki Takahashi

    Fumiaki Takahashi miniature orchidaholic

    Messages:
    295
    Likes Received:
    88
    Location:
    Georgia
    Bty, nice pics., springtails are fast jerky 1-2 mm composters.
     
  4. Apr 12, 2017 #4
    Jgrimm1055

    Jgrimm1055 Jonathan loves Masdevallias!

    Messages:
    253
    Likes Received:
    231
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Those pics were not easy to take! Lol
     
    Fumiaki Takahashi likes this.
  5. May 5, 2017 #5
    annabanana1987

    annabanana1987 Active Member

    Messages:
    999
    Likes Received:
    154
    Location:
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Wow I have never seem them before. Thank you for posting it's a very cute little bug. Hopefully they don't harm much other wise they are my new unknown enemy.. if they don't cause damage and only eat rotted matter then they a bonus right ? They eat dead matter and then turn it into fertilizer :) hopefully you let us know an update on what you do about them
     
  6. May 5, 2017 #6
    Fumiaki Takahashi

    Fumiaki Takahashi miniature orchidaholic

    Messages:
    295
    Likes Received:
    88
    Location:
    Georgia
    They are composters, which means they eat biogadraging matter.
    They shouldn't be a problem unless your orchids are rotting.
     
    annabanana1987 likes this.
  7. Oct 12, 2023 #7
    JunkyAdam

    JunkyAdam New Member

    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Whether you're still fighting the good fight against bugs or you're sharing your experience for future orchid enthusiasts, I wanna wish you good luck.
     
  8. Oct 12, 2023 #8
    KiwiMax

    KiwiMax New Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    I hope by now you've found a solution to your bug issue, but if not, or if anyone else is dealing with something similar, I've got some info that might help.
    You mentioned being concerned about springtails or other little bugs affecting your Pleurothallids, Masdevallia, and Dracula orchids. I totally get it; orchids can be sensitive to pests and you'd naturally want to deal with it as effectively and safely as possible.
     
  9. Oct 17, 2023 #9
    KiwiMax

    KiwiMax New Member

    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    One method I came across that seems pretty promising is the use of ozone generators. I found a detailed article on www.damagecontrol-911.com which explains how these devices can be used to neutralize bugs and even mold. The ozone molecules generated by the machine react with bugs, effectively killing them.