Curse on Mealie Bugs please!

[Kath]

I had an infestation of mealie bugs sometime ago, and a few days ago, I saw more of these animals of a phal that had been clear of any bugs up until then. Can someone tell me where they come from, and where do they hide, in order to pop out from nowhere one day, when I least expect it! In the medium? In corners? I found a few under the leaves too.

[Joansorchid]

Hi Kath
Mealy bugs are tricky little blighters! They hide anywhere that is poreous. You can even bring them in on your clothes. Spray the plant and change the growing medium. Check that there are none hiding in the soil or the roots if they are spray. Leave it to stand for a while and then rinse the roots before putting back into the growing medium.
Joan

[Kath]

Thanks for your help! They really are tricky little so and so's. I want to repot one of them, so I'll do as suggested and look at the roots carefully as I do so

[littlefrog]

Mealy bugs have little tiny spaceships in orbit around the moon, and beam in when you least expect them. Or at least that is my theory...

Whatever you do, don't assume that one treatment will get rid of your pests. You need to repeat your treatment at 7-10 day intervals for at least three (I prefer 4) applications. Don't repot them that often, the first repotting is enough, but definitely spray them good.

[Kath]

I haven't repotted them yet, as I've never dared! I'll try with one and see if I can't kill it off like that. Hehe!

Thanks for the help!

[camille1585]

I've been battling mealies for months. They hide in every nook and cranny, and even when I get the adult with rubbing alcohol, there a more a few days later. Probably from eggs that hatched.

I blasted my plants with a systemic to (hopefully) get rid those dang mealies. Nothing else works, they always come back with a vengeance. But the product can't be used on plants in bloom since it damages the flowers, so everything in spike/bloom has to wait so I still pick out the bugs by hand on them. So I have to keep those plants faaaarrrr from the treated ones! I use Confidor; it works well generally.

[phearamedusa]

I have these lovely little so & so's on a Chrysis, check the axis of leaves, roots, medium, and like camille1585 stated "every little nook and cranny". Clean the pots, or replace them, and wipe down the surfaces near the plant, with some luck we might get rid of some potential re infestations by doing this. I've got to admit to not being very aggressive with this one since this orchid is going on yr 8 without any flowers or even a sign of a spike. So it can suffer for a little bit, before I attack again. May be with luck, the pig headed little thing will flower sometime in the near future.
I use several fronts of attack, diazon(sp), neem oil, and endall. First is systemic, neem oil is reproductive inhibitor, and endall is a contact, pyrethorin(sp) based insecticide that kills eggs, juvies, and adult bugs. I start with the endall and neem oil, use this combo for about three weeks, then if they come back, I use the systemic for about a month. If after all this, I still have the little blighters, then I start all over AGAIN.

[Kath]

Thank you for your advice! My battle is obviously not over, and could end up a full time job, from what I can see! I shall gather my weapons and prepare for battle! This could become my small war against terrorism!