Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Mealybugs
I have a mealybug problem with my houseplants and wonder if someone
can offer some suggestions on how to get rid of the pests? These are the white mealybugs. I had to throw out 5 or 6 large Diefenbachia plants because they were so infested that it was hopeless. I have a few other plants infected with the mealybug but it isn't out of control yet and don't want to lose the plants. Using hydrogen peroxide with cotton swabs just isn't practical. It takes forever just to do one plant. I bought an insecticidal soap and have been using the spray once a week on the plants, but the mealybugs still keep coming back. I read about using biological control (beneficial insects) and would like to explore this avenue if possible. Is it practical for indoor plants? How do you go about the process? Where do you find ladybugs in the freezing snow and cold now here in Canada? How do you release ladybugs so they stay on the plant in question and not fly away somewhere else? Thanks in advance! Eric |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
on the subject of bio-control ...its the larva stage of ladybirds that do the eating...you need to hope the adults lay eggs on the infested plants...wont work in a house though... finally you presumably brought these pests in on a new plant...check check check new plants for pests and diseases ..especially the underside of new growth ...before placing them among your treasures. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks Eyebright for this info. I appreciate it.
Eric On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 00:22:51 +0000, Eyebright wrote: Eric G Wrote: I have a mealybug problem with my houseplants and wonder if someone can offer some suggestions on how to get rid of the pests? theres no easy way to get rid of these ...if painting with whatever you used is too time-consuming ( we used to paint with meths)...then take a deep breath anf throw out all plants you suspect to be contaminated before the problem spreads even more. on the subject of bio-control ...its the larva stage of ladybirds that do the eating...you need to hope the adults lay eggs on the infested plants...wont work in a house though... finally you presumably brought these pests in on a new plant...check check check new plants for pests and diseases ..especially the underside of new growth ...before placing them among your treasures. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"Eric G" wrote in message ... Thanks Eyebright for this info. I appreciate it. Eric On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 00:22:51 +0000, Eyebright wrote: Eric G Wrote: I have a mealybug problem with my houseplants and wonder if someone can offer some suggestions on how to get rid of the pests? theres no easy way to get rid of these ...if painting with whatever you used is too time-consuming ( we used to paint with meths)...then take a deep breath anf throw out all plants you suspect to be contaminated before the problem spreads even more. on the subject of bio-control ...its the larva stage of ladybirds that do the eating...you need to hope the adults lay eggs on the infested plants...wont work in a house though... finally you presumably brought these pests in on a new plant...check check check new plants for pests and diseases ..especially the underside of new growth ...before placing them among your treasures. Biological control of mealy bug is tricky as the Australian ladybirds they use seem to have return tickets on Quantos and fly off as soon as released, I did have some success when I enclosed the affected plants in net curtains. regular soft soap sprays and watering in of a systemic like provado also help but the only way to eradicate the problem is to be vigilant and remove them manually (I use an old toothbrush) this is the time of year to carefully inspect the plants and their surrounds for the white fluffy egg masses these and hibernating adults will be found in all sorts of cracks and crevices, especially where stems touch or leaves touch stems. severely reducing the plant size rather than destroying it is a compromise that cuts down the work involved. -- Charlie, gardening in Cornwall. http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk Holders of National Plant Collection of Clematis viticella (cvs) |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Biological control of mealy bug is tricky as the Australian ladybirds they use seem to have return tickets on Quantos and fly off as soon as released, I did have some success when I enclosed the affected plants in net curtains. regular soft soap sprays and watering in of a systemic like provado also help but the only way to eradicate the problem is to be vigilant and remove them manually (I use an old toothbrush) this is the time of year to carefully inspect the plants and their surrounds for the white fluffy egg masses these and hibernating adults will be found in all sorts of cracks and crevices, especially where stems touch or leaves touch stems. severely reducing the plant size rather than destroying it is a compromise that cuts down the work involved. Thanks Charlie! |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
The message
from Eric G contains these words: Where do you find ladybugs in the freezing snow and cold now here in Canada? How do you release ladybugs so they stay on the plant in question and not fly away somewhere else? You'll find them hibernating in cracks and crevices - such as between a window and its frame. As long as there's food, they'll tend to stay on the plant. But be sure your insecticides have worn off before you apply another insect... -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Thanks Rusty for the tip.
On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 00:03:03 GMT, Jaques d'Alltrades wrote: The message from Eric G contains these words: Where do you find ladybugs in the freezing snow and cold now here in Canada? How do you release ladybugs so they stay on the plant in question and not fly away somewhere else? You'll find them hibernating in cracks and crevices - such as between a window and its frame. As long as there's food, they'll tend to stay on the plant. But be sure your insecticides have worn off before you apply another insect... |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Eric G wrote:
I have a mealybug problem with my houseplants and wonder if someone can offer some suggestions on how to get rid of the pests? These are the white mealybugs. I had to throw out 5 or 6 large Diefenbachia plants because they were so infested that it was hopeless. I have a few other plants infected with the mealybug but it isn't out of control yet and don't want to lose the plants. You are pretty much going to have to go in hard with systemic chemicals if you want them all gone. And move all the infested plants well away from the clean ones. You could start with a knock down contact insecticide to kill the obvious ones and then use an aggresive systemic. One of the Phostrogen plant pin type was found to work well for cacti and most succulents YMMV. Using hydrogen peroxide with cotton swabs just isn't practical. It takes forever just to do one plant. Meths and a stiff brush is faster. I bought an insecticidal soap and have been using the spray once a week on the plants, but the mealybugs still keep coming back. Not a chance. You just get cleaner mealy bugs. I read about using biological control (beneficial insects) and would like to explore this avenue if possible. Is it practical for indoor plants? How do you go about the process? Throw the plants out if you are not prepared for chemical warfare. And don't use anything too nasty on indoor houseplants. A few unlucky cactus enthusiasts have been seriously injured using dangerous commercial greenhouse insecticides in the home. Regards, Martin Brown |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
In article , Martin Brown writes: | | I bought an insecticidal soap and have been using the spray once a | week on the plants, but the mealybugs still keep coming back. | | Not a chance. You just get cleaner mealy bugs. Not at all - it works like a dream, on any that you can see. The mistake is to use it as a contact insecticide - you need to blast the wool off them using a hand spray as a miniature power washer. They then dry up and die. If you just wet them, then the effect is as you describe. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
In article , Eric G writes: | | Sorry for my ignorance but if you first blast them with a power | washer won't they just be pushed off the plant altogether? | Why would you then need the soap? Eric (a) only a few get blasted off the plant altogether and (b) you want to ensure that they don't just climb back on. The objective is to blast their waxy 'fur' off so they dessicate, and soft soap solution (or detergent solution with a squirt of meths) works a lot better than plain water. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
|
#13
|
|||
|
|||
On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 09:26:14 +0000, Martin Brown
wrote: You are pretty much going to have to go in hard with systemic chemicals if you want them all gone. And move all the infested plants well away from the clean ones. I've been thinking about this. Three of the six Diefenbachia that were badly infested were in the same room but in different corners, about 8-10 feet away from each other. In between them were smaller plants that were also infected but not as badly. Now the other three Diefenbachia were in a foyer area around the corner a good 20 feet or more away. They too were badly infested. In the same foyer is a Benjamin fiscus that is being threatened as well. So my question is how do these pests get around? They don't fly correct? They wouldn't be climbing around the place would they? The only thing I can think of, which is scary, is that they are being blown about by the forced air heating system and are possibly flowing through the entire house. What's most likely? Using hydrogen peroxide with cotton swabs just isn't practical. It takes forever just to do one plant. Meths and a stiff brush is faster. What are Meths and where do you buy them? How do you go about removing them, one at a time, and wipe them on a paper towel as you go? Thanks! Eric |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Eric G wrote:
On Mon, 13 Dec 2004 09:26:14 +0000, Martin Brown wrote: You are pretty much going to have to go in hard with systemic chemicals if you want them all gone. And move all the infested plants well away from the clean ones. I've been thinking about this. Three of the six Diefenbachia that were badly infested were in the same room but in different corners, about 8-10 feet away from each other. In between them were smaller plants that were also infected but not as badly. I am not sure, but I think they can walk quite long distances. You may also have root mealy bug which is much harder to kill and even harder to detect until you repot the plant. Using hydrogen peroxide with cotton swabs just isn't practical. It takes forever just to do one plant. Meths and a stiff brush is faster. What are Meths and where do you buy them? How do you go about removing them, one at a time, and wipe them on a paper towel as you go? Methylated alcohol (impure ethanol) used for spirit burners. It dehyrates them on contact they are quite dead and mostly stick to the brush. The small phial I use accumulates dead mealy bug bodies. Regards, Martin Brown |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 08:46:48 +0000, Martin Brown
I am not sure, but I think they can walk quite long distances. You may also have root mealy bug which is much harder to kill and even harder to detect until you repot the plant. Methylated alcohol (impure ethanol) used for spirit burners. It dehyrates them on contact they are quite dead and mostly stick to the brush. The small phial I use accumulates dead mealy bug bodies. Regards, Martin Brown Thanks Martin. I appreciate your help. Eric |
Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Mealybugs on Paphs - HELP!!! | Orchids | |||
Mealybugs on Paphs - HELP!!! | Orchids | |||
Mealybugs on Paphs - HELP!!! | Orchids | |||
Mealybugs, HELP | Orchids | |||
Scale/Mealybugs and Orchids | Orchids |