TheNaturePlanet

The Phalaenopsis you’ve been carefully nurturing has just sprouted a flower spike, when suddenly a bunch of tiny flying insects appear on the surface of the potting soil. They fly up in a swarm when you water it, and there’s even a slightly sour smell when you get close? Today, I’m sharing this insect elimination guide with you.


**Step 1: Physical Trapping**

- **Yellow sticky traps**: Buy a few flower-specific sticky traps and insert them directly around the edge of the potting soil. No need to do anything else—they’ll be covered with dense insects in a day! Remember to choose ones with hooks; hanging them around the flower pot works even better~

- **Homemade sweet and sour trap**: Mix 2 tablespoons of white sugar, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, 1 pump of dish soap, and half a bowl of water. Stir well, pour into an open plate, and place it next to the flower pot. The sweetness lures the insects, the vinegar disinfects, and the dish soap stops them from flying away—eco-friendly and cost-effective!


**Step 2: Chemical Control**

- **Low-toxicity spray**: Choose an eco-friendly, flower-specific insecticide. Before spraying, put on a mask and gloves, move the plant to a well-ventilated balcony, and gently spray a light layer over the surface of the potting soil and the undersides of the leaves. Be careful not to spray directly on the petals! The number of adult insects will decrease the same day.

- **Burying "little white pills"**: Tiny flying insects keep coming back because there are eggs in the soil! Sprinkle a circle of "little white pills" (containing dinotefuran) on the surface of the potting soil. They’ll slowly seep into the soil when you water, and can last 4-8 weeks, killing the eggs before they hatch.


**Step 3: Blocking the Source**

- **Spreading fine sand to prevent egg-laying**: Cover the surface of the potting soil with a 1cm layer of fine sand to stop tiny flying insects from laying eggs in the soil! The sand also helps the potting soil dry out faster, reducing the risk of root rot for the Phalaenopsis.

- **Keeping it dry and well-ventilated**: Phalaenopsis dislike stuffiness and moisture. Don’t water too often—wait until the surface of the potting soil is dry before watering. Open windows regularly for ventilation, or place a small fan nearby to circulate air.

- **Manual removal + isolation**: If you find scale insects on the leaves, pick them off with tweezers, then wipe the roots with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to kill any eggs! If the infestation is severe, move the plant to a corner first to isolate it, so it doesn’t spread to other plants~


**Tips**: Bury "little white pills" once a month during daily care to prevent egg infestations in advance!