Mealybugs....!!

[Makail]

Two weeks ago I found one single mealy bug laying on a leaf of a tiny orchid that was sick, I kinda tossed the plant out in panic. It was in another room. Today I just found a single mealybug on one of my orchids that I have had for about two months. Starting to freak out again since it was in the same room as the rest of my orchids. Is there anything to panic about yet if I just saw one and destroyed it or...? What should I do? I don't want an infestation, I always imagine pests are trouble some to control..Thanks..

[78Terp]

Rubbing alcohol kills them on contact. Quarantine that orchid, spray it liberally with the rubbing alcohol. You can use a Q tip to remove the individual bugs which will turn a dark color once they have alcohol on them. Check the plant closely for a week or 2 repeating the alcohol usage as needed. They like to hide under leaves, in crevasses, on blooms and buds and in/under sheath material etc.

And no, one or two mealy's does not constitute an infestation, but it is good to get it under control as soon as detected.

[Makail]

Thanks! That's a big relief... but going to treat the others as well just in case..

[78Terp]

It won't hurt them, but vigilance is also a good thing.

My experience is that with only one or two mealy bugs is that once eradicated it takes me months to find more. I don't find they move to another plant that easily with so few found.

[Makail]

They come back occasionally? Also, does the alcohol affect the roots in any way. I know some people spray their orchid roots with 3% hydroxide and they seem to do alright.

[78Terp]

An occasional alcohol drenching is not supposed to hurt the roots. I have not found more than one or 2 at a time. So I have never worried about the bark. I have just taken down the bugs I found and spray the plant so it gets in all the nooks and crannies.

Drenching the roots at this time is over-kill IMO.

[Dorsetman]

Alcohol is OK on hard leaves such as Vandas and Phalaenopsis, but not on soft or thin leaves such as Oncidiums, Zygopetalums etc. If in doubt, dilute the alcohol with equal parts of water ; it will still kill bugs, but not kill plant cells at that dilution.

[Makail]

Nice, may try to dilute the alcohol and alternate. Also I read from other sites some people uses Bayer Rose and Garden/Flower insecticide or systemic for infestations or both, alternating.

What are your thoughts on that? I find alcohol and diluting alcohol the safest in a way, I guess because it's somewhat natural-ish...


Yeah, I won't drench the roots just yet, don't want to waste all the alcohol yet lol. Rather just spray them to get all the nooks.

[78Terp]

Personally, I try to avoid chemicals that will kill beyond the need.

[Makail]

I recall a year or two back while researching ailments, a video and some suggestions were using Original Listerine (brown/gold color). What are your thoughts on that?