Scale on my cymbidium

[bil]

Originally Posted by silken

I can't get it in Canada but it seems a number of people on this forum use that and like it.

I love it so much I'd marry it. Put simply, without it, I don't know what I'd do here.. We would be overrun by pests.

[malteseproverb]

Can I use it in the home? I can apply it in the bathtub, let it drain, etc., but I don't have a yard.

[bil]

Originally Posted by malteseproverb

Can I use it in the home? I can apply it in the bathtub, let it drain, etc., but I don't have a yard.

I would be cautious on plastics. If you get a large sheet of plastic, cover the bath with that, and you should be alright. Remember, this stuff is like nerve gas Don't inhale the fumes, don't get it on your skin, and wash all exposed skin thoroughly. Usual, sensible precautions.

[Whimgrinder]

Originally Posted by malteseproverb

Can I use it in the home? I can apply it in the bathtub, let it drain, etc., but I don't have a yard.

I've sometimes taken a large cardboard box and placed the affected plant in the open end of the box for treatment. (back in the days when I used that horrible Ortho systemic stuff whose fumes would strip lung tissue in seconds) The two materials discussed here are far less hazardous to use than the Old School systemics, and produce very low fumes, but you do need to exercise caution. If you have to do it indoors, the bath tub seems appropriate as long as you can vent the bathroom (You have a bathroom ventilation fan, yes?)

[bil]

Originally Posted by Whimgrinder

I've sometimes taken a large cardboard box and placed the affected plant in the open end of the box for treatment. (back in the days when I used that horrible Ortho systemic stuff whose fumes would strip lung tissue in seconds) The two materials discussed here are far less hazardous to use than the Old School systemics, and produce very low fumes, but you do need to exercise caution. If you have to do it indoors, the bath tub seems appropriate as long as you can vent the bathroom (You have a bathroom ventilation fan, yes?)

Cardboard box is a good idea!

[AJW]

Scale and Mealy bug are just two of the curses associated with growing orchids. An old Dutch grower since past gave me this solution.
40mils General purpose spray oil, 80 mils Meths to 2 lt's of water. Apply to the infected leaf with a rag followed by 2 weeks later using a sprayer then move into a 4 weekly spray cycle until infestation is clear. I now only apply this mixture about a week before I am taking a plant to a show.

[rbarata]

If I'm not wrong, Imacloprid was found to be a bee killer (as well as other beneficial insects). This caused its formula to be developed further originating the Thiacloprid, which is not harmful to bees (although some investigations says the opposite).

Thiacloprid is found in most Bayer products since Imaclopride is being replaced by it. I use Bayer Calipso but I think in the US it has another name.

[malteseproverb]

I bought the Bayer product (Amazon.com : Bayer Advanced 701285 3-in-1 Insect Disease and Mite Control Concentrate, 32-Ounce : Bayer Tree And Shrub Systemic : Patio, Lawn & Garden)

Thanks for all your help everybody! I've never used any kind of pesticide so this is a big deal to me. My bathroom is tiny but has a window, and I can use a fan to get things moving quickly. I may do that and just leave the house for a few hours after spraying, leaving the fan on and window open.

Should I treat all of my plants or would that result in some illl effects for otherwise healthy orchids? The cymbidiums are actually the most isolated of all my orchids.

[rbarata]

I would spray all the plants with symptoms, as well as all in their vicinity even if they don't show any signs of pest..

[Mainwaring]

You can also try Hydrogen peroxide 3-5%
It is not poisonous at all, for you, the plant or the environment. You might need to apply it a few times, but eventually it will do the job. It kill all bugs on a plant, including fungus