what kind of pest were these???

[nzadro]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

I eventually got rid of mine by using copious amounts of safer soap including soaking the medium and doing it regularly every 1-2 weeks. I don't use imidiclopid as it is toxic to native insects. You could use it in a green house but then it is not good for you. I put my orchids outside in the summer. If you're lucky, parasitic insects will go after the mealies there, but they'll be killed by systemic insecticides.

What kind of safer soap did you use?

---------- Post added at 09:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:48 AM ----------

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

I have not used the pesticide.

I have been like a ninja assassin inspecting this and the one paph that I saw them on (two plants out of 200+, in different areas, one indoor and one on a patio????? ) with ISO and a qtip. I have searched the entire plants several times over the weeks and killed a few more but they have been reducing in frequency and I am satisfied they have not spread. If they return in vigor, I will try the systemic approach


All my plants have ants and spiders and lizard and sp I don’t like the idea of tinkering with nature

Good luck! I am still trying to figure what my pests are. They are tok small to even count the legs under a maginifying glass! My fear is that they are mealy nymphs.... but god willing it is a happy pest and Ive been a monstet dabbing good guys with alcohol.

[estación seca]

I couldn't see it before because it was too big to fit on the screen. Now I can.

Those might be the nymph stage of scale insects. Treatment would be similar. In your warm climate a 24 hour submersion in dilute soap solution would not hurt the plant. Use just enough soap to break the surface tension. Get a container large enough to submerge the entire plant & mount. Fill with water. Add just a few drops of liquid dish detergent and mix. There should be a few bubbles but not a lather. Dunk the plant. Afterwards take it to a sink and use a strong jet of water on the whole plant - nooks and crannies - to wash your troubles down the drain.

I just finished doing this with an Oncidium hybrid.

[DirtyCoconuts]

i moved it out of the screen as well and now i think the BIG BUGS are keeping it clean

anyone ever use botanigard ES?

[estación seca]

Soap soaking and spray is almost all I use. I've had to treat multiple times, but have gotten rid of scale and mealybugs.

[Leafmite]

I bought a bunch of ladybugs to take care of the ones that escaped washing and Neem oil. Good luck! I hope that is the last you will ever see of them!

[DirtyCoconuts]

I do so love lady bugs!!

I have them here but I would not mind more. Where did you buy them?

[nzadro]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I couldn't see it before because it was too big to fit on the screen. Now I can.

Those might be the nymph stage of scale insects. Treatment would be similar. In your warm climate a 24 hour submersion in dilute soap solution would not hurt the plant. Use just enough soap to break the surface tension. Get a container large enough to submerge the entire plant & mount. Fill with water. Add just a few drops of liquid dish detergent and mix. There should be a few bubbles but not a lather. Dunk the plant. Afterwards take it to a sink and use a strong jet of water on the whole plant - nooks and crannies - to wash your troubles down the drain.

I just finished doing this with an Oncidium hybrid.

Great advice. How long do you keep them isolated after this treatment? Do you repeat it after a week or so?