K,
Since you mentioned ants, the best local treatment is Schultz. The
product contains chrysanthemum pyrenes. Our society had a guy from pest
control (Jim V. -- he is one of ours and very trustworthy) speak on the
safety of chrysanthemum pyrenes. This product is very safe for buds as
well as the rest of the plant and appears more effective against ants
than any other product on the market. You can also purchase Schultz'
products at your grocery store and apply the vegetable product as well.

.. . . Pam
Everything Orchid Management System
http://www.pe.net/~profpam/page3.html

P. S. I didn't find problems with malathion; however, malathion has a
bit of a impact to humans whereas chrysanthemum pyrenes are not harmful.

---------------------------------
K Barrett wrote:

I was out watering today and ants came pouring out of one pot by the
thousands.

Usually I kill ants with Malathion, but this year the flowers are going to
the Member's Meeting in Sacto and so they need to:

a) look good

b) smell good

c) have no signs of infestation that would cause them to be removed from the
show.

I'm tempted to use insecticidal soap.

Has anyone noticed damage to blooms with Safer's soap?

K Barrett