Bugs under the medium....

[Cjcorner]

I pulled a few plants out of their pots today and began cleaning up a few with scale. Is it common for scale to go down to the rhyzome?? When they are riddled with it, is it possible to kill them all? I mixed a couple things in my wheelbarrow and began scrubbing them off with an old toothbrush. To my shock, scale had also gotten onto a mounted catt. When I removed the coconut fiber I found the bottom of the p-bulbs coated with powdery white bug stuff. I have never seen a mounted plant so completely infested before. I did with it the same as I did with the plants infested with scale. I used a toothbrush and scrubbed everything I could. I also let the plants sit in the bugkiller stuff for a few minutes before and after scrubbing. I kept a separate bucket for the after rinse. They are now drying on the front porch.
What would you have done?? Is there maybe a second day step?? Should I redo all of them as they were so bad?? I'll be going wiggy looking for more infected plants tonight. Also; should I spray my shelves?? Can bugs live there in between plants??
Thanks everyone....
Connie

[Lizgeo]

I would spray the plants and media with the mix (1 part of 409 cleaner, 1 part of rubbing alcohol, and 3 parts of water). Make sure you spray both side of leaves. I have used this mix several times, and it doesn't harm the orchids. I would repeat the process 2-3 times on weekly schedule.

Speaking of scales, I have just got an order of ~20 catts today. Most of them are healthy, but 2 of them have scale problem. I will make the mix and spray them this weekend too.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Once scale gets a foothold, it is hard to kill. Separate your plants that have problems and spray, scrub, dip, and retreat until all signs of scale are gone. Such a pain in the rear, but it will kill your plants quick if not treated.

Cheers,
BD

[Cjcorner]

Thanks....i've been scrubbing and spraying and will keep them segregated until I know they are in the clear. I just HATE buggies!

[Ron-NY]

I have had that happen...a big pain in the you know what...I remove all the scale with a toothbrush and then i use ultra fine horticultural oil mixed with water and spray every 10 days (on an overcast day) for a month. Good luck!