I live in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and am having Mealie Bug
problems on my Hibiscus - we cannot get alcohol out here easily - any
other solution to the problem beside Malathion?

Bernie


That's ok, Bernie. The kind of alcohol you want to use is not the
kind that people drink. You want isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol,
medicinal alcohol - the stuff they swab on your arm before you get a
vaccination). You should be able to find some at the local pharmacist.
Ask for isopropyl alcohol by name. Sometimes they dye it blue or green.

Alcohol for human consumption is ethanol. Don't ever drink
isopropanol, it will kill you quite dead. Failing finding any of those
things, look for a horticultural grade oil. Apply per directions. It
suffocates the bugs. Some people spray with a detergent solution (a
little dish soap in water, shake well and spray). That removes the waxy
coating from the bugs and they dry out and die. All sorts of ways to
kill bugs.

Rob

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