Mealy bug infestation

[Izzie]

The general consensus on here is that if it's safe for roses, it should be safe for orchids. After some experimentation on my end, I'm inclined to agree. I've never had problems using a rose product on my 'chids.


I just wish that the BBS would sell Orthene. The best I can get is Sevin or Bayer.

But as I said, once the pests are everywhere, in my experience, it's a real chore to get rid of them with a systemic.

[Call_Me_Bob]

the one i used was ortho rose pride. it says its safe for orchids, and i used it on a den that was just developing buds. no harm done!

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[Brotherly Monkey]

Originally Posted by Izzie

In my experience, any systemic is a little late in the game once my plants are already covered, especially the plants where it is hard to cover all of the leaf area to get to all of the pests. But that's just how it is on my end, with conditions so conducive to this pest.

ETA: again, correcting myself. (I haven't had coffee yet, give me a break!)
"this pest" = spider mites outside.

Though I have this similar problem with mealies inside. So far, I've kept them at bay with dousings of soapy water.



I wonder if buying a bag of those lady bugs to scatter outside would help with the mites....

Izzie, most systemics don't work well on mites, and tend to only respond to specifically formulated miticides.

Using floromite should deal with any outbreak, and being that it lasts in the plant's system for a month, should require only one application

[Brotherly Monkey]

Originally Posted by RobS

Orthene should work to I have no experience with this product but do with Admire. I would never try any chemical on all of my orchids at the same time. Also for Admire I've seen some limited negative side effect on some plants in full growth (still better then the mealies). I don't know if Orthene is safe on orchids.

I've used it on orchids in the past and haven't seen anything obvious that I can directly connect to the Orthene, besides maybe some blooms that wilted early

[Hedge]

I have had some success in eliminating mealy bug using Bayer's Provado - you can apply either as a ready made spray or a s a drench on the medium. Individual bugs also find methylated spirits toxic - you dab all the ones you can see with it on a child's paint brush (methyl alcohol)(methanol)(denatured alcohol)

[Dumb chemist]

Here is another way to clear a plant of mealy bugs:
I have a Hoya plant that got the mealies in a bad way. (I keep the plant as it was my late mother's pride and joy.) I tried spraying the foliage with limited success. The leaves are attached to long stems that I had wound them around into a wreath shape. The sprays I tried could not get to the top and bottom of each leaf. My solution was to cut off all of the stems and leaves and burn them. I figured that if the plant was to die it could be from the mealies or my severe pruning. Well, the plant is still alive with a limited growth of new leaves. I keep the plant under surveillance and spray it now and then. I don't recommend this treatment for orchids as it could take a long time to ever get the plants back to a reasonable size (that is if they could survive the pruning).

I am not addressing the fact that mealy bugs can infest the plant root system. I found out about this fairly recently. I was wondering if the use of bark would hinder the mealy bug from infesting it versus soil as normal houseplants use?

[Gin]

I use the systemic Bayer Soil and Turf 1 Tbs. to the gallon drench and spray it does not have the fert. in it like the Tree and shrub , the imidacloprid is a higher amount .It is the same ingredient as Merit and way less $ If spider mites then need something else Keltane will kill them but stinks and would not want to use indoors . Safers insect soap spray every 3 days 3 times they have a very short hatch cycle . There are others out there that are very good but cost is a lot ..

[Izzie]

The only products I can get mentioned here are the Bayer and Safer brands. What have you guys used to get rid of the mealies down in the media?

I worry because mine are in bloom right now.

[RobS]

Admire is from Bayer and can be used for dipping entire pots.

[phearamedusa]

I hosed the bare roots with plenty of water left pretty much bare root for a week, repotted, then have kept a very close eye on the plants to rid it of any I see using alcohol.

In my experience, medium doesn't make any difference to mealie's or spider mites. If the conditions are right they invade, and conquer all plants. EVIL little bugs.

Predator insects are more of a control then out right annihilation, and they never stay where you leave them or eat everything. Unfortunately mites and mealies can build up a tolerance to a product if its over used just little penicillin is no longer the miracle cure it once was, lady bugs and other predator that you can purchase from places have no tolerance since they are grown in a lab type environment. Check out the info here Natural Insect Control, NIC specializes in Canadian Beneficial Nematodes, grub control, Beneficial Insects, good bugs to control bad bugs. Organic, environment friendly products for home, garden, orchard and farm.