Help! Pests on my seedlings!

[Hiester]

Originally Posted by czayta

Should I use this as a perventitive solution or only when the larva are present? Will this work on fungus gnat larva? (little clear fly worm babies )

Also will 70% ISOPROPYL alcohol work if I mix that in 20% of the entire solution with soap and water?

Your 70% isopropyl alcohol is simply more diluted with pure water. Adjust your formula to include a higher percentage of it.

70% isopropyl alcohol (undiluted) is a better disinfectant, as the water helps the alcohol penetrate and destroy protein shell instead of hardening protein shell causing protein to go dormant.

[orchidsarefun]

? butterworts and pinguicula are the same thing...
Don't give up on them clearing your gnat problem. It may take a while but catching adults eventually breaks the lifecycle and vastly reduces the adult population.

[Orchid Whisperer]

The original photos also show circular patches - any chance those are scale insects? If so, I would go with the Bayer 3-in-1 or Bayer Advanced Rose & Flower.

If not, another option for caterpillars is to try a Bacillus Thuringiensis control (also called BT). It is bacteria-based, only affects insect larvae, perfectly safe for other critters. Widely available in powder form in garden centers. YOu may need to re-apply if it washes off.

[silken]

Originally Posted by Bulbofett

They are small, green caterpillar type bugs. I wasn't able to see them until I used a magnifying glass so I can't get a picture of them. You can sure as heck see the damage though. I'm beyond pissed off! I worked super hard on these guys, as they are my first flask seedlings.

I sprayed the seedlings with insecticidal soap. Is there anything else I can or should do?

Pics of the damage.....

Fungus gnat larvae will do that sort of damage to leaves that are close or on the media. They are more clear than green, but I am sure the green from what they are eating will show thru on them. I would spritz the media generously with Malathion if you don't get results from something more gentle first. I don't think Malathion will hurt the seedlings. It certainly doesn't hurt any of my orchids.

[Hiester]

Originally Posted by silken

Fungus gnat larvae will do that sort of damage to leaves that are close or on the media. They are more clear than green, but I am sure the green from what they are eating will show thru on them. I would spritz the media generously with Malathion if you don't get results from something more gentle first. I don't think Malathion will hurt the seedlings. It certainly doesn't hurt any of my orchids.

Someday I'll tell the story about the Ortho™ salesman who was supposedly drinking Malathion to demonstrate the low human toxicity level. I don't know how he could stand the smell. (I've been in this industry far too long... ).

[silken]

Originally Posted by Hiester

Someday I'll tell the story about the Ortho™ salesman who was supposedly drinking Malathion to demonstrate the low human toxicity level. I don't know how he could stand the smell. (I've been in this industry far too long... ).

Oh my goodness!!! I hope they paid him well and he has good health insurance. Not to mention the smell. But I have seen where it is the active ingredient in salves used to treat scabies and other 'bugs' that humans get (not from personal experience). So it must have a fairly low toxicity. It stinks but I find it deals with most pest problems quite well.

[NYCorchidman]

Fungus gnats are more of just annoyance than problem makers.
I strongly recommend pings. They are like fungus gnat magnets!!
Venus Fly trap won't help with such tiny delicate bugs. They might catch occasionally housefly.

Insectiside lable usually include millipedes & caterpillars, which are insects. So insecticides should affect them badly.

Ingesting malathion??? I thought it was supposed to be topical only back when it was in use. I feel bad for the guy.
By the way, even drinking malathion won't help getting rid of parasites if that's what you meant by "bugs" in humans, not on humans.

Have you seen the program called "Monsters Inside ME"?? I never thought parasites can be so deadly and scary!!!

[BettyE]

Originally Posted by czayta

Should I use this as a perventitive solution or only when the larva are present? Will this work on fungus gnat larva? (little clear fly worm babies )

Also will 70% ISOPROPYL alcohol work if I mix that in 20% of the entire solution with soap and water?

Answer to top question: YES. Bottom question: NO, I don't think so...but try it and tell the rest of us...BettyE

[silken]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Fungus gnats are more of just annoyance than problem makers.
I strongly recommend pings. They are like fungus gnat magnets!!
Venus Fly trap won't help with such tiny delicate bugs. They might catch occasionally housefly.

Insectiside lable usually include millipedes & caterpillars, which are insects. So insecticides should affect them badly.

Ingesting malathion??? I thought it was supposed to be topical only back when it was in use. I feel bad for the guy.
By the way, even drinking malathion won't help getting rid of parasites if that's what you meant by "bugs" in humans, not on humans.

Have you seen the program called "Monsters Inside ME"?? I never thought parasites can be so deadly and scary!!!

Malathion is still in use but I meant it was the active ingredient in salves for itchy skin pests like scabies and crabs. Again, note, I DO NOT know this from personal experience

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

The original photos also show circular patches - any chance those are scale insects? If so, I would go with the Bayer 3-in-1 or Bayer Advanced Rose & Flower.

If not, another option for caterpillars is to try a Bacillus Thuringiensis control (also called BT). It is bacteria-based, only affects insect larvae, perfectly safe for other critters. Widely available in powder form in garden centers. YOu may need to re-apply if it washes off.

I think you're referencing my photos OrchidW? I saw the bugs personally, and squished them. They were definitely wormy larvae of some type. Then I sprayed with the insecticidal soap. So far, no scales. I really should move the seedlings inside, but I'm lazy. We have 90% humidity levels so i don't have to worry about keeping humidity up. Guess this is the downside. The soap has worked so far, so we'll see if any more hatch.