Believe me, Steve, if denatured alcohol was just bitter people would still
drink it. You don't drink scotch do you? I know, I believe most of them
belong in Scotland too. Do you add Angostura bitters to your Manhattan to
counteract the vermouth? People eat and drink bitter things the world over.
Denatured alcohol would just be one more.
Happy New Year.
Gary

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I was surprised to find out that denatured alcohol has methanol in it.
Until now, I had always believed denatured alcohol was ethanol with a
bitter compound in it so it couldn't be consumed.
So I looked it up and chose to read the Wikipedia article on denatured
alcohol. Of course you are right. Methanol is one of the common ways to
make it.
Here's the funny part. You know how Wikipedia often has links to other web
sites at the bottom? One of the links was about mealybugs. I figured I
would read that and see what it said about killing mealybugs with
denatured alcohol. Sure enough, it was an article that included non toxic
ways of killing mealybugs but I couldn't spot the word alcohol anywhere on
the whole page.

Steve

v_coerulea wrote:
I've been using 409 and Isopropyl alcohol for years. Denatured alchol is
a faster kill. People say "Don't use it! period". I've tried it since I'm
and incurable "Try what they say not to do and see what happens". If the
plant is in poor shape from disease or insects you can probably get it to
recover if it's worth it to you. Otherwise toss it and don't worry about
the insects. Wear gloves when using this especially if you're going to do
a bunch. Denatured alcohol is more toxic to man or beast. It's 95%
dtinking alcohol and 5% wood alcohol which is really toxic. If you wear
gloves, don't inhale for periods of time and don't drink it I really
don't see much of a problem. Plants don't seem to object. If you use
isopropyl (least toxic of the common alcohols) go for the 70% in the drug
store or big box store. It might cost a speck more but the kill rate is
better for the buck. I mix 1/2 spray bottle of 409 (somewhere around 20
oz I think, I's have to check) with 1 gal of alcohol. That's about 2 oz/
pt bottle of alcohol. It use it for weekly spot treatment between major
blasts 3-4 times/ yr. Good luck.
Gary

"Frank H. Kirchner" wrote in message
...
I am sending best wishes to you all during this holiday season. With so
many stresses in the world, cultivation of our orchids can point to
directions and attitudes that could benefit society as a whole. If only
we could learn the lessons nature has to teach us!

Enough of the quasi-philiosophical and on to the mundane and pragmatic.
I am trying to cut down on the use of chemicals in the greenhouse for
contolling the various pests and critters that so delight in my orchids.
I recall from a long time ago a mix which I never used of Formula 409
and isopropyl alcohol. Thoughts regarding its efficacy, proportions,
environmental issues would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance and again Happy Holidays!

Frank H. Kirchner