On 21 Dec 2004 23:44:02 GMT, (Nick Maclaren) wrote:

Most people/stores I've called have never heard of the stuff.
I've called paint stores, hardware stores, chemical stores,
pharmacies.
Hardware stores carry methyl hydrate but not methylated alcohol.

That is probably the same stuff. As names fly across the pond,
they often mutate.

HI Nick,

Well I have since learned that methyl hydrate is methanol whereas
methylated alcohol is 95% ethanol and 5% or less of methanol.
So they aren't really the same.


Rubbing alcohol consists of isopropyl alcohol here, 70% isopropyl ISP.
Could isopropyl alcohol be used instead of methyl alcohol to kill
these mealybugs?

Yes. And so could medicinal ethanol. It is the dessicating effect
that kills them, not the particular chemical.

OK, then I guess I'll try the isopropyl alcohol and see if it does
the trick.
Thanks.

Eric