"Mindful" wrote in message
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"TQ" ToweringQs AT adelphia.net wrote in message
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"Mindful" wrote in message
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Can someone suggest something that really works to wipe out an mealy bug
infestation? Malathion, Ortho Systemic, Triazicide, Ortho Bug-B-Gone
all
slow the infestation but not do away with it. The plants are tropical
plants
including orchids in a large sun room. Any suggestions? We're going
broke
buying insecticides.

After the initial application, you have to hit them again in a few days
to a
week to kill the newborns.

Have you tried rubbing alcohol? It's cheap and non-toxic.

We sprayed them every few days for months on end. There are too many
plants to do with alcohol on a swab. Or do you mean spray them with
alcohol?


I had a couple of plants with them. I used the cotton swab with metho, but
I also used a bit of metho in the homemade white oil. And don't forget to
spray it onto the soil as well. And repeat once a week for 4 weeks.

Another thing that you might be able to try, is to rub off as many as you
can with your fingers. It will just help to lower the numbers a bit. Do
this before each and every treatment. If you've got kids, I'm sure they'd
love to help.

Another, is to use a strong blast of water (shower or hose) to blast them
off first.

Hope that helps

Jen