Mealy Bugs (I think) - Please HELP!

[cnycharles]

Could this have been the source of the mealies, or is it a separate bug the alcohol also killed? Can anyone identify this critter?

fast glance looks like a millipede, they often are found in potting mix that is breaking down, they eat that kind of material. you can find them often in the woods, under rocks, eating usually decaying material though they might sometimes chew on root tips but that is just a guess. too bad you can't train them to eat mealybug eggs.. if they are around it's probably a good sign that your potting mix needs to be changed because it's breaking down enough for them to have something to eat

 

[NYEric]

Milli, and Centipedes eat fungus gnat larva. Mealies kill and spread disease among plants! At the Altamonte Slipper Symposium, one of the anouncers went on about using Neem Oil in solution. I'm ordering some this week.

 

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

Eric, you do know that neem oil smells like onions and garlic. That smell will stay with your collection for at least a few days after spraying. In your case that means you whole apartment will smell bad.

 

[biothanasis]

Aromatherapy???oke:oke:

 

[nikv]

I've been using Neem Oil for the past five years and don't think it smells bad. It's a bit pungeant, but I wouldn't say it's like onions and garlic. Something different although I'm not sure how to identify it. It works great on my pests and it won't hurt beneficial insects such as ladybugs. And it won't hurt kitties or humans either. FYI.

 

[goldenrose]

I've been using Neem Oil for the past five years and don't think it smells bad. It's a bit pungeant, but I wouldn't say it's like onions and garlic. Something different although I'm not sure how to identify it. It works great on my pests and it won't hurt beneficial insects such as ladybugs. And it won't hurt kitties or humans either. FYI.

I don't think it smells bad either, not sure how I'd describe it.

 

[Gilda]

I use a Neem extract concentrate from Lowe's that has the fragrance of oranges/citrus....I think it smells good. Makes my phal leaves shiny ,too !

 

[Yoyo_Jo]

I find the smell of Neem oil sort of indescribable; I don't find it unpleasant, but it doesn't really remind me of anything else that I can put my finger on.

I've heard it touted as having anti-fungal properties as well. It's sold here primarily as a "leaf cleaner". A gardner I know swears by it for use on her roses; I know, I know, unrelated.

 

[Elena]

My bottle of neem oil definitely smells of stale garlic, not nice Mercifully it's not that strong and the smell disappears fairly quickly.

 

[NYEric]

Umm, neem oil smells like 'neem oil'! Heck, if it smelled like onions and garlic, maybe some chickies would be lured in looking for home cookin! :rollhappy:

 

[SlipperFan]

Dot

LOL where were you before I took a q-tip dipped in alcohol to the bud of my suspected mealy infected plant

Todd

Ouch!!!

 

[Eric Muehlbauer]

I think it smells like durian....which is OK, since I love durian and therefore like the smell...but I only use neem when my plants are outdoors...and not often, since its never worked for me...or at least, no more than plain old Sunspray oil. Take care, Eric

 

[Corbin]

I use a Neem extract concentrate from Lowe's that has the fragrance of oranges/citrus....I think it smells good. Makes my phal leaves shiny ,too !

Does it have a particular name or brand name?

 

[emydura]

Mealy bugs are bad news. The worst pest in my opinion. If you find mealy bugs on a couple of your plants than it is almost certainly spread throughout your collection. If you have a large collection then you will have to spray a systemic pesticide of some sort.

A few years back I had mealy bugs in plague proportions. Nothing I used would work. It was getting to a point where I was re-considering my hobby. Then I noticed an Australian website that said the best way of getting rid of mealy bugs was to mix White Oil with the systemic pesticide Rogor. Both pesticides will kill the mealy bugs although the main function of the white oil is to assist the plant in absorbing the systemic Rogor. Well, it worked fantastic. Killed all the mealy bugs and I didn't have a problem for a few years. Unfortunately the little buggers are back so I'm going to have to spray again.

A few things to note -

* you need to spray at least 3 times in succession a week or so apart as the sprays only kill the adults not the eggs. So if you only spray once, the eggs will hatch shortly after and you will be right back to where you started.
* Rogor stinks and takes forever to dissapate. It has a real toxic smell to it as well. Truly awful.
* Some people will not use white oil as they feel it will damage there plants. I haven't found it to be a problem. You should only use it in cool weather. In anycase try it out on a couple of unimportant plants before spraying your whole collection.

If you have mealy bugs and nothing is working, consider mixing rogor and white oil. It is guaranteed to work.

David

 

[NYEric]

What is "white oil"?

 

[emydura]

What is "white oil"?

It is a petroleum oil. It is widely used in Australia on all sorts of of pests. I assume there is an American equivalent.

http://www.yates.com.au/products/pest-control/insects-concentrates/yates-white-oil-insecticide/

David

 

[NYEric]

ok, thanx.

 

[cnycharles]

probably mineral oil, mostly found in drug stores to aid in 'digestive slippage' among other things (or could be what's sold as horticultural oil)

 

[paphioboy]

I think it smells like durian....

Neem oil smells like durian..? :drool: :drool:

 

[Yoyo_Jo]

Neem oil smells like durian..? :drool: :drool:

So...is that a good thing then?

When I googled durian, one of the definitions I found said it smells like stinky feet. :rollhappy: