Substrate has Tiny White Insect Eggs
 

I was checking my orchid's roots today, after soaking her for the week, and found some tiny white dots. At first I thought it was fungus, but then I saw a tiny black round bug walking on the piece of wood I took out. It was a little shiny, I think.

I'm soaking her in soapy water right now, but I don't exactly know what insect this is, so I don't know how to prevent it. Does anyone know what bug this is? Many thanks.

wood does produce fungus when it gets wet.
Wood is not generally used to grow orchids, we use bark instead.

I can't identify the insect for sure but it sounds like a kind of aphid I have that likes to live in the substrate.
I've had them for 2 years now and to start with I tried getting rid of them but honestly they have never done any damage so by now I just leave them.

I'm not even entirely sure what they are, they are black, look like an aphid but they don't live on leaves, in fact they like being around damp substate at all times and can even hop on water

I think they might be some sort of thrip

Edit: after doing a bit of research using their behavior I have concluded I might have bark lice!

They are black, 1-6mm in size, live in humid places and are killed by dryng out the substrate which all fits what I have

And they do no damage to orchids

But do make sure it isn't thrips or aphids as they do damage leaves

ps: thanks for making me finally research what the black bug has been :biggrin: Makes me feel so much better knowing for sure that they are beneficial and not a threat

Yeah, I tried getting orchid substrate near me, but it's been hard because of covid.

Thanks to you as well, since I tried looking up all the common culprits and my head blew up trying to figure it out!

I actually do think you're on to something about those barklice, since my orchid, asides from the eggs, is super healthy, and growing a lot as of late. I also checked the leaves and there was nothing on them either. No damage, nothing, so unless I start seeing damage, that might just be it.