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Bletilla striata Tiny Black Flies
eco Tiny Black Flies

Bletilla striata – Tiny Black Flies

Why does your Bletilla striata have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.

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Jump to cause: Fungus Gnats Sciarid Flies (Darkwing Fungus Gnats) Root Rot-induced Secondary Infestation

search Possible Causes

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Fungus Gnats

The larvae of these flies live in moist soil and feed on organic matter or decaying root tissues of the Bletilla striata. The presence of tiny black flies is a classic sign of overwatered, highly organic substrate that stays wet for too long.

Very Common
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How to confirm: Perform the 'finger test' to see if the top 2 inches of soil are staying constantly damp.
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1 Reduce watering frequency and allow the top inch of soil to dry out completely to disrupt the larvae's moist habitat.
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter SMM-V3
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter SMM-V3
Water Meters
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2 Apply a biological control like yellow sticky traps to capture the adult flies and prevent further breeding.
Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack
Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack
30 pcs
$7
In Stock
3 Repot the orchid in a well-draining medium, such as a mix containing perlite, to improve aeration and prevent soil from staying waterlogged.
Legigo Perlite 15qt
Legigo Perlite 15qt
14.2 L • Perlite
$22
In Stock
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Sciarid Flies (Darkwing Fungus Gnats)

Specific species of Sciaridae thrive in the decomposing leaf litter and mulch often found around Bletilla rhizomes. They are attracted to the high humidity levels required for orchid growth.

Common
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How to confirm: Set a yellow sticky trap near the base of the orchid pseudobulbs to confirm the flying adult population.
build How to fix it
shopping_cart Recommended Products
1 Deploy yellow sticky traps near the soil surface to capture adult flies and disrupt their breeding cycle.
Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack
Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack
30 pcs
$7
In Stock
2 Reduce moisture in the top layer of the substrate and remove any decomposing organic matter or excess leaf litter where larvae thrive.
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter SMM-V3
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter SMM-V3
Water Meters
—
3 Apply a biological control or organic spray to target the larvae in the soil and prevent further infestation.
Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz
Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz
0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic
$10
In Stock
warning

Root Rot-induced Secondary Infestation

If the Bletilla's rhizomes are rotting due to poor drainage, the decaying plant tissue provides an ideal breeding ground for various small dipteran flies.

Common
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How to confirm: Gently lift a rhizome from the pot to check if it is firm or if it feels soft and smells foul.
build How to fix it
shopping_cart Recommended Products
1 Inspect the rhizomes for mushy, dark spots and remove any decaying tissue to stop the primary cause of the infestation.
2 Repot the orchid in a well-draining medium like orchid bark or a mix containing perlite to prevent future root rot.
Better-Gro Orchid Bark 4Qt (2-Pack)
Better-Gro Orchid Bark 4Qt (2-Pack)
Orchid Bark
$5
In Stock
3 Deploy yellow sticky traps to capture the adult flies and break the breeding cycle in the soil.
Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack
Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack
30 pcs
$7
In Stock
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