Mealy bugs ahhh!!! Never had what to do?? - Orchid Board

Eahonn · #1 03-21-2012, 07:04 PM

I have never had these before what do I do? They are all over the blooms!!! I am swabbing them off with alcohol. Is this going to damage the blooms is there a better way?

lund0682 · #2 03-21-2012, 07:57 PM

Oh no - that's awful!

I imagine the alcohol will kill the pests, but not sure what it will do to the plant. Does alcohol tend to have a drying effect? I don't know for sure, just speculating.

I think insecticidal soap will do the trick if the alcohol doesn't work. I picked up a spray bottle at lowes and I use it to fight aphids on my plants. It doesn't seem to hurt the orchids any. I've heard that it's good on mealy bugs too (though I haven't had to face them yet myself)

Pelepel · #3 03-21-2012, 08:47 PM

Neem oil. Mix with water (depending how big of a batch you're making) throw it into a spritzer. Spray once a day till you don't see them. I personally don't like pesticides in my home because that is where all my orchids are. Neem oil will blast them sky high and it is natural. You can even spray on your pets for a flea and tick remedy! You can order it on Amazon. Also, hand pick the big guys out. Ick.

ElenaMarie · #4 03-21-2012, 08:54 PM

Don't forget to isolate the infected plant! If you haven't isolated already, treat all plants near the infected plant as well.

Good luck, mealies are a nightmare I hope I never have.

Eahonn · #5 03-21-2012, 11:49 PM

Thank you! The soap wont hurt the blooms?

silken · #6 03-22-2012, 12:26 AM

Bud on this forum has a recipe: I think it goes like this:
10 drops dish soap
1/2 tsp. cinnamon extract
2 cups tepid water
Mix well, spray plant and soak pot for 5 mins.

camille1585 · #7 03-22-2012, 04:57 AM

I've never had any luck mucking around with home remedies when dealing with mealies, they always come back. For me it's better to pull out the big guns right away, using systemic insecticides like those containing imidacloprid or acetamiprid.

RJSquirrel · #8 03-22-2012, 05:05 AM

if you only have a few mealys that you can see, they require personal attention before you hose them down. a proper squishing is at close hand. you wont get them all like that but it might make you feel better to show a few whos da boss

Rowangreen · #9 03-22-2012, 07:02 AM

I got a division off a relative recently that I'm 90% certain had mealies. What I did there was unpot the whole plant and imersed it in water and a little washing up liquid for what ended up being a couple of hours. It then got rinsed. My division was kept in a bag for a couple of days then re-soaked and rinsed before potting up. So far no mealies (it's been months so I think I'm ok!) The plant (a 'cambria' type niod, so fairly thin rooted but tough) has been a little shocked, so I think I may have overdone it, but it seems to be picking up now.

If you don't want to use heavy duty pesticides you might want to do something like this at some point.

Just a general note: herbal, 'natural' products are still chemicals/drugs/pesticides. Neem oil is cinnamon isn't it? In which case I think it is reasonably safe for cats. HOWEVER never, never assume because something is safe for us or 'natural' it's OK for cats and dogs. Some examples of 'nice' things that can be hazards for your pets: any disinfectant that goes cloudy in water, clear disinfectants that are safe to leave on surfaces for us, tea trea oil, chocolate, lillies (the pollen is especially a major hazard), onions, apple seeds... well you get my point.

Sorry, bit of an amatuer herbalist and work with pets, so people assuming natural herbal remedies are totally safe is a bit of a bug bear of mine! Not saying anyone did assume... but any chance to get the word out!

Arenalbotanicalgarden · #10 03-22-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowangreen

I got a division off a relative recently that I'm 90% certain had mealies. What I did there was unpot the whole plant and imersed it in water and a little washing up liquid for what ended up being a couple of hours. It then got rinsed. My division was kept in a bag for a couple of days then re-soaked and rinsed before potting up. So far no mealies (it's been months so I think I'm ok!) The plant (a 'cambria' type niod, so fairly thin rooted but tough) has been a little shocked, so I think I may have overdone it, but it seems to be picking up now.

If you don't want to use heavy duty pesticides you might want to do something like this at some point.

Just a general note: herbal, 'natural' products are still chemicals/drugs/pesticides. Neem oil is cinnamon isn't it? In which case I think it is reasonably safe for cats. HOWEVER never, never assume because something is safe for us or 'natural' it's OK for cats and dogs. Some examples of 'nice' things that can be hazards for your pets: any disinfectant that goes cloudy in water, clear disinfectants that are safe to leave on surfaces for us, tea trea oil, chocolate, lillies (the pollen is especially a major hazard), onions, apple seeds... well you get my point.

Sorry, bit of an amatuer herbalist and work with pets, so people assuming natural herbal remedies are totally safe is a bit of a bug bear of mine! Not saying anyone did assume... but any chance to get the word out!

Neem oil is from the Neem tree,Azadirachta indica. It's a rockNroll mosquito repellent for tropical farms.