PLEASE ???what is this bug

[Swamper]

You know maybe I've snuck up on them and haven't given them a chance to avoid me or hop aways so there hasn't been a chase yet.That's gotta look hysterical specially to the neighbors that don't see why you are chasing.
I have been using needle nose pliers. I pick them off and squeeze the slime out of them, to see what's in them . Then I got a water gun and filled it with water and a drop of palmolive to shoot the ones that are too high. The first one I hit seemed to dissolve the fur coat but he was too high up to really see.

[vmax3000]

Originally Posted by Swamper

Then I got a water gun and filled it with water and a drop of palmolive to shoot the ones that are too high. The first one I hit seemed to dissolve the fur coat but he was too high up to really see.

Oh my God, why didn't I think of that?!?! Despite my more tolerant leanings towards my arthopod neighbors ("bugs"), I haven't been able to extend that grace to scale, mealies, the cockroach clan munching on the new green shoots or mosquitoes...or the shepherding ants that infest my plants with said scale. mealies or aphids. I am off to purchase arms !!! Brilliant, thanks for the idea!

[Swamper]

You're welcome. I saw my son filling these water guns with pool water and thought hmmmm....anyway don't forget the palmolive or other dishwashing liquid...one drop per gun

[Royal]

Genius! Sometimes the solution is right in front of us!

Vanessa, You mean you live in Texas and don't have any firearms!?

[orchids3]

Hi,
I think this is a very interesting thread and am really interested in the mealy bug predators. My grandfather had a large orchard and really appreciated "good" bugs. One of my early jobs as a kid was moving Hornet nests to appropriate locations. Doing that wrong or without care was a painful experience.

[vmax3000]

Originally Posted by orchids3

Hi,
One of my early jobs as a kid was moving Hornet nests to appropriate locations. Doing that wrong or without care was a painful experience.

Sucky job....do hornets predate on mealies? That seems kind of cannonish on the fly....

[vmax3000]

Originally Posted by RoyalOrchids

Vanessa, You mean you live in Texas and don't have any firearms!?

My quick tempered nature has given my spouse pause....He was in the US Army for many years and received weapons training and I think my lack of training beyond the odd 20 gauge shooting at skeet really doesn't comfort him in the least Go figure!! The only arms I now own are water/soap powered...very effective on the cats, too

[orchids3]

Not sure about mealies specifically - the hornets were called "Insect Hawks" and are said to eat vast amounts of other insects. MY grandfather and mother considered them valuable.

[Ross]

I agree with Royal. Treatment should probably include Neem oil.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by vmax3000

My quick tempered nature has given my spouse pause....He was in the US Army for many years and received weapons training and I think my lack of training beyond the odd 20 gauge shooting at skeet really doesn't comfort him in the least Go figure!! The only arms I now own are water/soap powered...very effective on the cats, too

Ok, that counts.

Many species of wasps are parasitic and lay eggs on, or inside of crop pests. The eggs hatch and feed off of the host slowly, so it doesn't die until it's almost hollow! Parasitic wasps are a commonly used biological control. Not sure about hornets though. Those old farmers usually know more than most text books, so I bet there's something to it. Intersting.