scale

[catttan]

I use Malathion exclusively for all my insect pests as it is considered here as a very safe pesticide if all precautions are are strictly followed. I understand that it oxidises after 8 hours and becomes quite inert after that.

[espranch]

I completely agree, Yew. I do wear long pants,shirt, and rubber gloves, in case any gets on me. I like to make sure that I do the job, safely. Betty :-)

[Warinsbloom]

I wish I could get my hands on that stuff....Good morning Betty!!

[espranch]

You can, Desiree...It's called mail order. Look on the internet for a place close to you that sells orchid supplies. I can get what I need around here, but, being the GREEN state that Washington is, you might have to order some from out of state. I hope that you are sucessful, because if you intend to keep growing orchids, you'll need it...sooner or later. Betty

[catttan]

I completely agree, Yew. I do wear long pants,shirt, and rubber gloves, in case any gets on me. I like to make sure that I do the job, safely. Betty :-)

.... and a face/gas mask to prevent breathing in the fine droplets of Malathion. Most cases of fatal Malathion poisoning by farmers in Malaysia are due to breathing in Malathion spray. It causes muscular paralysis and thus the victim can't breathe. No need to be unduly alarmed as such cases are extremely rare - 1 or 2 cases in 3-4 years in a population of 23 million.

[espranch]

Well, I just make sure that the wind is blowing AWAY from where I'm spraying. I don't spray in my inclosed greenhouse either...I take the orchids outside. But at any rate, some kind of mask, and clear googles would be a good idea. It's best to be safe. Betty

[Moosecakes]

Can we talk about taking preventative measures to bar an infestation before it even starts? My schools greenhouse is already infested and im going to be taking care of that ASAP, but i am going to build my own greenhouse once im out of medical school and i REALLY do not want to deal with these pests ever again. Any ideas?

[espranch]

Good luck, Danny! This earth is FULL of all kinds of life, and you'll ALWAYS have some kind of "bug" to deal with! I for one, would not want to live in a sterile world without insects. When some kind of insect is hurting my orchids, it has to be dealt with. We'll always be dealing with insects, as long as we're growing ANY KIND of plants! Just spray & get it over with. Betty :-)

[Moosecakes]

Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but nevertheless, it's what I needed to hear.

[catttan]

Agree with you wholeheartedly, Betty.