"ned" wrote in message
...

"Mushtywoof" wrote in message
. ..
SCREAM

I went into my greenhouse today and spotted mealy bug on a handful
of
cacti.........how can i get rid of them ?
'Don't know if it is still on the market but there used to be a
product called
"Fowler's Mealy Bug Destroyer",
marketed by Oak Dene Nursery, Barnsley.
It had to be painted on the affected areas - and, as I recall, smelt
like neat white spirit - is that considered organic?
I'm pretty sure that the Oak Dene Nursery specialised in cactus and
succulents.
It worked fine on the visible problem but if you had root mealy bug
then one had to revert to a systemic insecticide - which also treated
the visible problem.
I also think a 'natural predator' was marketed but presumably after it
has seen off the mealy bug, it too will die off.

--
ned

Painting with a spirit is standard practice (but an old toothbrush and a
little water works just as well) the bio control is an Australian lady bird,
its one aim in life is to return to Aus! and you have to completely seal the
greenhouse (I used net curtains) to keep its mind on the job. I find dayly
checking with my trusty tooth brush works best, I don't grow cacti but I
suspect they might be tricky to get into the nooks and crannies, an air jet
may help?

--
Charlie, gardening in Cornwall.
http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs)