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Mealybugs on Paphs - HELP!!!
Hi all,
I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
I would be wary of using a household "bomb" on a collection of plants. They
are designed to kill bugs in structures, not plant collections. I would use a two-step approach: Orthene WP as a knock-down, immediate killer (it is also systemic, so will have some residual action), then Enstar II, an insect growth regulator, which prevents maturation - hence reproduction - to rid the collection of the critters entirely. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. "Noochka One" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
I would be wary of using a household "bomb" on a collection of plants. They
are designed to kill bugs in structures, not plant collections. I would use a two-step approach: Orthene WP as a knock-down, immediate killer (it is also systemic, so will have some residual action), then Enstar II, an insect growth regulator, which prevents maturation - hence reproduction - to rid the collection of the critters entirely. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. "Noochka One" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
I would be wary of using a household "bomb" on a collection of plants. They
are designed to kill bugs in structures, not plant collections. I would agree but before recommending an insecticide I think you need to know what the growing conditions are. I don't think you want to use Orthene if growing in the house as opposed to growing in a greenhouse. Secondly after treating the problem I think you need to review the growing methods and reduce the overall need for using chemical methods to control insects. Mealybugs thrive in dry conditions as do many other pests. Eliminate the poor conditions and you may eliminate the problem. It may be necessary to remove the plants from their pots and drench them in an insecticide mixture rather than just spraying. I would recommend Knox-Out which is a safer product overall than some others. It is micro-encapsulated diazanon and has a two to three week residual effect and then breaks down. In addition it will not harm flowers or damage leaves on orchids like some other products can. |
I would be wary of using a household "bomb" on a collection of plants. They
are designed to kill bugs in structures, not plant collections. I would agree but before recommending an insecticide I think you need to know what the growing conditions are. I don't think you want to use Orthene if growing in the house as opposed to growing in a greenhouse. Secondly after treating the problem I think you need to review the growing methods and reduce the overall need for using chemical methods to control insects. Mealybugs thrive in dry conditions as do many other pests. Eliminate the poor conditions and you may eliminate the problem. It may be necessary to remove the plants from their pots and drench them in an insecticide mixture rather than just spraying. I would recommend Knox-Out which is a safer product overall than some others. It is micro-encapsulated diazanon and has a two to three week residual effect and then breaks down. In addition it will not harm flowers or damage leaves on orchids like some other products can. |
Ray wrote:
I would be wary of using a household "bomb" on a collection of plants. They are designed to kill bugs in structures, not plant collections. I would use a two-step approach: Orthene WP as a knock-down, immediate killer (it is also systemic, so will have some residual action), then Enstar II, an insect growth regulator, which prevents maturation - hence reproduction - to rid the collection of the critters entirely. I completely agree. The two step approach seems to do the best for me as well. For a badly infested plant, I unpot it, dump the whole plant in a 5 gallon bucket with the appropriate concentration of orthene, and let it soak for 5 or 10 minutes before repotting. If it is dear to me, and that is harder and harder to find these days. Usually I pitch a badly infested plant into the compost. I'll spray (not soak, that takes too long) the whole collection after finding more than one plant with mealies (I hate mealies). They usually come in on new plants. I usually spray at a few times with orthene at an appropriate interval, and then a few times with enstar or one of the other growth regulators. I've been accused of overkill in the past, but since I only spray after I see a problem (very infrequently, so far) I probably use far less pesticide than if I sprayed on a schedule. As for bug bombs, the 'inert ingredients' - 90+% of the 'bomb' are often far more toxic to plants than the actual active ingredient. It depends on what is in there, and they don't always have to list that on the label. I wouldn't count on a formula designed for use on non-living things (furniture, carpets, etc) to be suitable for plants. Might work, but I would rather sleep well at night. Besides, some of those bug bombs are more expensive than greenhouse pesticides. Rob -- Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a. See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase more orchids, obtain more credit LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list ) |
Ray wrote:
I would be wary of using a household "bomb" on a collection of plants. They are designed to kill bugs in structures, not plant collections. I would use a two-step approach: Orthene WP as a knock-down, immediate killer (it is also systemic, so will have some residual action), then Enstar II, an insect growth regulator, which prevents maturation - hence reproduction - to rid the collection of the critters entirely. I completely agree. The two step approach seems to do the best for me as well. For a badly infested plant, I unpot it, dump the whole plant in a 5 gallon bucket with the appropriate concentration of orthene, and let it soak for 5 or 10 minutes before repotting. If it is dear to me, and that is harder and harder to find these days. Usually I pitch a badly infested plant into the compost. I'll spray (not soak, that takes too long) the whole collection after finding more than one plant with mealies (I hate mealies). They usually come in on new plants. I usually spray at a few times with orthene at an appropriate interval, and then a few times with enstar or one of the other growth regulators. I've been accused of overkill in the past, but since I only spray after I see a problem (very infrequently, so far) I probably use far less pesticide than if I sprayed on a schedule. As for bug bombs, the 'inert ingredients' - 90+% of the 'bomb' are often far more toxic to plants than the actual active ingredient. It depends on what is in there, and they don't always have to list that on the label. I wouldn't count on a formula designed for use on non-living things (furniture, carpets, etc) to be suitable for plants. Might work, but I would rather sleep well at night. Besides, some of those bug bombs are more expensive than greenhouse pesticides. Rob -- Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a. See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase more orchids, obtain more credit LittlefrogFarm is open - e-mail me for a list ) |
I addition I would look for the ants that are probably the culprits
responsible for spread the mealies around. Mealybugs don't usually move too far or too fast on their own. Young mealies can be quickly "sown" throughout an entire collection in a short time by ants. I've seen it happen even indoors. I think it pays to make absolutely certain that ants are not a player in this scene. It's very discouraging to take the time and effort to "eradicate" the mealybugs only to find them completely reinfested a month or 2 later. Gary "Ray" wrote in message ... I would be wary of using a household "bomb" on a collection of plants. They are designed to kill bugs in structures, not plant collections. I would use a two-step approach: Orthene WP as a knock-down, immediate killer (it is also systemic, so will have some residual action), then Enstar II, an insect growth regulator, which prevents maturation - hence reproduction - to rid the collection of the critters entirely. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! . "Noochka One" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
I addition I would look for the ants that are probably the culprits
responsible for spread the mealies around. Mealybugs don't usually move too far or too fast on their own. Young mealies can be quickly "sown" throughout an entire collection in a short time by ants. I've seen it happen even indoors. I think it pays to make absolutely certain that ants are not a player in this scene. It's very discouraging to take the time and effort to "eradicate" the mealybugs only to find them completely reinfested a month or 2 later. Gary "Ray" wrote in message ... I would be wary of using a household "bomb" on a collection of plants. They are designed to kill bugs in structures, not plant collections. I would use a two-step approach: Orthene WP as a knock-down, immediate killer (it is also systemic, so will have some residual action), then Enstar II, an insect growth regulator, which prevents maturation - hence reproduction - to rid the collection of the critters entirely. -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! . "Noochka One" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
There is an aerosol bomb insecticide for use in greenhouses but
I lost the info. I know it was from somebody in our group & the cans were very expensive & had to buy in bulk? Hoping who ever it was reads this. -- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply Noochka One wrote: Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
There is an aerosol bomb insecticide for use in greenhouses but
I lost the info. I know it was from somebody in our group & the cans were very expensive & had to buy in bulk? Hoping who ever it was reads this. -- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply Noochka One wrote: Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
Hi Scott,
I've used the bombs before, not sure how much they helped but they didn't (in my case at least) hurt the plants. I saw your post in ABPO - where in Seattle are you? I'm in West Seattle... Interested in the local orchid society? http://www.nwos.org/ Jerry "Noochka One" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
Hi Scott,
I've used the bombs before, not sure how much they helped but they didn't (in my case at least) hurt the plants. I saw your post in ABPO - where in Seattle are you? I'm in West Seattle... Interested in the local orchid society? http://www.nwos.org/ Jerry "Noochka One" wrote in message . .. Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
I have used both Knox-Out (microencapsulated diazinon) and microencapsulated
Orthene bombs. I am not convinced that they are as effective as a good soaking with spray. It seems logical though, as it's easier to apply a spray under leaf surfaces... -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. "wendy7" wrote in message news:t0%dd.56567$kz3.3630@fed1read02... There is an aerosol bomb insecticide for use in greenhouses but I lost the info. I know it was from somebody in our group & the cans were very expensive & had to buy in bulk? Hoping who ever it was reads this. -- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply Noochka One wrote: Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
I have used both Knox-Out (microencapsulated diazinon) and microencapsulated
Orthene bombs. I am not convinced that they are as effective as a good soaking with spray. It seems logical though, as it's easier to apply a spray under leaf surfaces... -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. "wendy7" wrote in message news:t0%dd.56567$kz3.3630@fed1read02... There is an aerosol bomb insecticide for use in greenhouses but I lost the info. I know it was from somebody in our group & the cans were very expensive & had to buy in bulk? Hoping who ever it was reads this. -- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply Noochka One wrote: Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
1. I have never had any luck getting rid of mealies with smoke or aerosol
bombs. I have always had to use a spray/drench routine repeated a couple of times to achieve complete mealie annihilation. 2. In addition to the aerosol, Knox-out used to come in quarts which when mixed with water made a very effective mealie spray/drench. I do not think it is available any more as I though all diazinon products had been put out of production. Duraguard (microencapsulated dursban) is also very effective, but it has been moved to the restricted use list. Malathion and sevin are effective against mealies, but I think greenhouse use labeling has been removed from both. None of these chemicals should be used in a house and their effectiveness is only as good as the spraying/drenching. Repeated applications is required for all and mealie resistance is possible. Imidacloprid seems to be the recommended replacement for diazinon and dursban and it is labeled for mealies and greenhouses. I do not know how effective it really is, but it is getting good write ups. The local Home Depot and nursery centers are carrying many new products based on imidacloprid and the price seems to be dropping. 3. If you have Phals, be careful with orthene this time of year. In the plant, systemics are mostly moved to where the plant is actively growing and for phals this time of year that is the new bloom spike. The concentrating of orthene in the juvenile spike can lead to a much higher than normal rate of color break flowers and other flower mutations. I avoid orthene from Sept to April. I do not have much experience with orthene and paph flower mutations, so you will have to rely on input from other growers. 4. Some members of this group have reported success on meallies with enstar. I have never achieved any thing better than suppression with it used alone. "Ray" wrote in message ... I have used both Knox-Out (microencapsulated diazinon) and microencapsulated Orthene bombs. I am not convinced that they are as effective as a good soaking with spray. It seems logical though, as it's easier to apply a spray under leaf surfaces... -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! . "wendy7" wrote in message news:t0%dd.56567$kz3.3630@fed1read02... There is an aerosol bomb insecticide for use in greenhouses but I lost the info. I know it was from somebody in our group & the cans were very expensive & had to buy in bulk? Hoping who ever it was reads this. -- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply Noochka One wrote: Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
1. I have never had any luck getting rid of mealies with smoke or aerosol
bombs. I have always had to use a spray/drench routine repeated a couple of times to achieve complete mealie annihilation. 2. In addition to the aerosol, Knox-out used to come in quarts which when mixed with water made a very effective mealie spray/drench. I do not think it is available any more as I though all diazinon products had been put out of production. Duraguard (microencapsulated dursban) is also very effective, but it has been moved to the restricted use list. Malathion and sevin are effective against mealies, but I think greenhouse use labeling has been removed from both. None of these chemicals should be used in a house and their effectiveness is only as good as the spraying/drenching. Repeated applications is required for all and mealie resistance is possible. Imidacloprid seems to be the recommended replacement for diazinon and dursban and it is labeled for mealies and greenhouses. I do not know how effective it really is, but it is getting good write ups. The local Home Depot and nursery centers are carrying many new products based on imidacloprid and the price seems to be dropping. 3. If you have Phals, be careful with orthene this time of year. In the plant, systemics are mostly moved to where the plant is actively growing and for phals this time of year that is the new bloom spike. The concentrating of orthene in the juvenile spike can lead to a much higher than normal rate of color break flowers and other flower mutations. I avoid orthene from Sept to April. I do not have much experience with orthene and paph flower mutations, so you will have to rely on input from other growers. 4. Some members of this group have reported success on meallies with enstar. I have never achieved any thing better than suppression with it used alone. "Ray" wrote in message ... I have used both Knox-Out (microencapsulated diazinon) and microencapsulated Orthene bombs. I am not convinced that they are as effective as a good soaking with spray. It seems logical though, as it's easier to apply a spray under leaf surfaces... -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! . "wendy7" wrote in message news:t0%dd.56567$kz3.3630@fed1read02... There is an aerosol bomb insecticide for use in greenhouses but I lost the info. I know it was from somebody in our group & the cans were very expensive & had to buy in bulk? Hoping who ever it was reads this. -- Cheers Wendy Remove PETERPAN for email reply Noochka One wrote: Hi all, I'm new to the group so if this question has been recently asked and answered, please excuse me: Has anyone tried using a commercial "bug bomb" such as Raid or Black Flag to treat insect infestations on large numbers of plants? My collection of paphs has become infested with mealbugs and nothing I use seems to be having any effect. Can anyone offer any insight or suggest another method of treating these critters in bulk? |
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