bugs not leaving after 3 weeks of spraying - Orchid Board

(..._...) · #1 09-28-2008, 05:36 PM

Today I sprayed my entire collection in order to get rid of the spider mites. This is the third weekly spraying out of the four I intend to do. However, last week, I still found a few on two of my miltoniopsis. AFTER TWO SPRAYINGS!!

my question is: what do you do if this does not work and I continue to see bugs.? Should I submerge the entire plant into a bucket of insecticidal soap?- in order to get all the medium soaked? Anyways, today I REALLY sprayed the plants until their foiliage was dripping wet, and they are drying off outside.

Also, in some of my pots are these REALLY TINY bugs that move very very quickly and have a silver-grey tint to them. I have read that these bugs are normal in any decomposing matter, but found a lot in the dish that one of my phals is placed in. Are these bugs really okay?

Ross · #2 09-28-2008, 05:48 PM

What are you using for the mites? Mites are best treated with Kelthane which is not available most areas.

(..._...) · #3 09-28-2008, 06:00 PM

I know that it is not strong, but I use insecticidal soap from safers. Its says good for spider mites on the label.

Also I here in Canada, it has now become VERY difficult to find non- natural chemical products for this kind of use.

Also, I may have false- spider mite, since I never found any 'webs' on any of my orchids, though I did find red bugs when I whiped the leaves with a damp cloth. Any idea about that?

Ross · #4 09-28-2008, 06:22 PM

Try rubbing alcohol. Rub surfaces of leaves with cotton ball dippped in this.

Cookiemonster · #5 09-28-2008, 06:43 PM

My best advice to you is to do this!
You need cotton balls, safers insecticidal soap, rubbing 70% alcohol---
First wipe down the leaves with the rubbing alcohol and see if you find that reddish/orange rusty tinge to the cotton ball if so the mites are still hanging out-- Or if you see their marks like tiny needle like dots on the leafs surface (top/bottom)
I was told by another member on here that even if you get the adults you didnt get the EGGS! So you have to spray every 3 days, everywhere, spare nothing top/bottom corners ect- if you miss ONE egg they will be back! Increase humidity as they do not like it! If they got your whole collection you've got a fiesta of work to do, once a week spraying will not get them--
First do every 3 days with safers insecticidal soap for a week then switch to 100% neem oil and soap mixture for a week and here and there check with the cotton ball and alcohol-
I wish you the best of luck, if this doesnt work you may have to go into the hardcore insecticides, which I do not have knowledge of.
Good luck!!!

unhappykat · #6 09-28-2008, 07:17 PM

If you need to use the chemical option you can try Talstar which is effective against mites to an extent. If you can find Orthene you may try it against mites, it has a mild effect that in combination with dilute oils can be very helpful with mites. If posible seriously consider raising humidity for a few weeks to <80% which will severly impair their growth and spread while you use sprays and oils.

Lagoon · #7 09-29-2008, 07:45 AM

The safers may not be strong enough or your not hitting the eggs. I don't care for the safers, I was at it forever.
I agree oil is very effective. Neem has worked well for me.
I hope you get those blasted buggers soon

betwixtimes · #8 09-29-2008, 11:50 AM

Have you tried replacing all the infected medium---aka repoting all your infected orchids?

Cookiemonster · #9 09-29-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagoon

The safers may not be strong enough or your not hitting the eggs. I don't care for the safers, I was at it forever.
I agree oil is very effective. Neem has worked well for me.
I hope you get those blasted buggers soon

I dont think anything gets the eggs actually- they've got like some sort of forcefield lol ....

Oh yes repotting would help as well if there are any buggers hanging out on the top of the medium!

camille1585 · #10 09-29-2008, 12:53 PM

Twice I have had bad mite attacks on orchids (once on a cym, another time on a den) and both times I had no trouble getting rid of them. I wiped every single leaf with 90° rubbing alcohol to get rid of as much as possible, and then I treated 2 times 10 days apart with Kelthane. I have tried bifenthrine based products in the past, but it never worked as well.