Citrus Pesticide for Orchids?

[BrassavolaStars]

Hello all,

I am still battling the massive scale problem. it is still all over, and NY is fairly restrictive about what can be used. That said, just the other day, I found this in the store and bought it.

Amazon.com

Normally, Imidacloprid is not for sale in NYS. Will this stuff work for me? If so, how would I use this stuff? I also have the granules I found in the garage from long ago if those are better.

Amazon.com

I also have this acephate stuff still: Amazon.com

The acephate looks very intimidating, and have not used it yet.

Thank you for any help.

[Ray]

I cannot speak for the citrus stuff, but acephate has been my "go to" for scale and mealy bugs for decades.

Use it outdoors, spray all surfaces thoroughly and drench the potting medium. Leave them outside until the plants dry. Repeat two more times at one-week intervals.

[Dimples]

The product with 0.22% imidacloprid says it will suppress armored scale, not eliminate, so it’s not likely to eradicate your problem. Sounds like the acephate is your best bet for complete control.

[Leafmite]

Scale seems to become resistant to pesticides so I would go with the acetate, too, since you have it.

As you have a greenhouse, once you treat all your plants, you might want to release lacewings or lady bugs to keep the scale under control.

Good luck!

[Maree]

Ray can acephate be used around cats for indoor use? Thank you -Mel

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Maree

Ray can acephate be used around cats for indoor use? Thank you -Mel

I don't think that's a good idea.

[estación seca]

Pesticides like acephate, malathion, Sevin, nicotine, "natural, organic" permethrins and derivatives, and the nicotine analogs like imidacloprid, are toxic to all animals with a nervous system. They block transmission of nerve impulses controlling vital functions. Depending on the species they cause death by paralysis and suffocation, stopping the heart, or drowning in one's own saliva. This is usually accompanied by strong cramping of all muscles.

Different species have different sensitivities to them. In general cats and dogs are more sensitive to them than are humans, but the difference in sensitivity - thus the lethal dose - is not great. All these pesticides state full protective equipment should be worn when spraying.

Humans metabolize malathion much faster than do arthropods, but it is still possible to kill people with malathion. Permethrins and derivatives are less toxic than the synthetics, so more must be used.

Nicotine is one of the most toxic substances known. Obviously humans have figured out how to use it without dying immediately. But the difference between a lethal and non-lethal dose is small. A small or an elderly person, or child, might die if they eat one standard cigarette. At one time nicotine was sold in the US as a pesticide. It was removed from the market years ago because it is so toxic. Making your own nicotine extracts from tobacco for pesticide use sounds promising, but all commercial tobacco is contaminated with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), which can infect many other plants, including orchids. The commercial preparation had been ultrafiltered to remove virus particles. This isn't practical at home without expensive equipment. Interestingly, TMV is readily found in bronchial and lung cells of smokers. Does it cause cancer? Nobody will fund that research.

[Dimples]

Cats are especially sensitive to pesticide products due to their small size and their specific physiology. Dogs are significantly larger animals (on average) and that gives them a higher tolerance to exposure.

Definitely do not apply any pesticides inside a house that has cats. Applying them to plants while they are outside, waiting until the product has thoroughly dried before bringing the plants back inside, and then preventing the cat(s) from contacting the treated plants for at least a few weeks following the last application would be your best bet. If your cat(s) enjoys chewing on plants then they’ll need to be kept away from the plants indefinitely if you use a systemic product.

Make sure you keep anything that has contacted the pesticide away from the cat(s) as well (gloves, clothes, buckets, etc).

[BrassavolaStars]

Thank you all for the advice. It seems like the Acephate is the best choice then?

I do have cats and a dog. The cats do not leave the house, but the dog does go into the yard.

I can close the greenhouse door though and spray only inside the greenhouse.

I never realized how toxic Imidacloprid was. Before it was permit only, I used to wear no PPE and breathe the stuff in and get it all over myself. I am a noted idiot when it comes to PPE. The labeling did not make it seem that dangerous.

I also forgot to mention I have malathion too.

The Acephate is one teaspoon per gallon, as I understand, and I should stay away while it is still "fragrant".

---------- Post added at 08:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:46 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

Pesticides like acephate, malathion, Sevin, nicotine, "natural, organic" permethrins and derivatives, and the nicotine analogs like imidacloprid, are toxic to all animals with a nervous system. They block transmission of nerve impulses controlling vital functions. Depending on the species they cause death by paralysis and suffocation, stopping the heart, or drowning in one's own saliva. This is usually accompanied by strong cramping of all muscles.

Different species have different sensitivities to them. In general cats and dogs are more sensitive to them than are humans, but the difference in sensitivity - thus the lethal dose - is not great. All these pesticides state full protective equipment should be worn when spraying.

Humans metabolize malathion much faster than do arthropods, but it is still possible to kill people with malathion. Permethrins and derivatives are less toxic than the synthetics, so more must be used.

Nicotine is one of the most toxic substances known. Obviously humans have figured out how to use it without dying immediately. But the difference between a lethal and non-lethal dose is small. A small or an elderly person, or child, might die if they eat one standard cigarette. At one time nicotine was sold in the US as a pesticide. It was removed from the market years ago because it is so toxic. Making your own nicotine extracts from tobacco for pesticide use sounds promising, but all commercial tobacco is contaminated with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), which can infect many other plants, including orchids. The commercial preparation had been ultrafiltered to remove virus particles. This isn't practical at home without expensive equipment. Interestingly, TMV is readily found in bronchial and lung cells of smokers. Does it cause cancer? Nobody will fund that research.

I am always interested in the science of these things. I believe malathion is an organophosphate and inhibits acetylcholinesterase, thus causing cholinergic poisoning/S.L.U.D.G.E syndrome.

[estación seca]

inhibits acetylcholinesterase

All the above act on the acetylcholine system in one way or another. Imidacloprid granules are not as toxic because they're solid and the chemical is not dispersed. Chronic low-level exposure has not been studied in humans because it would be unethical.