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Thread: Mrs. Meyers Liquid soap / Mealy Bugs

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  1. #1
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    Question Mrs. Meyers Liquid soap / Mealy Bugs

    SO I bought this soap it says its "Eco-Friendly"... I have those tiny white mealy bugs in the bark of my orchid....I just wanted to make sure I can spray this "naturally derived" lemon-verbena scent soap on my plants!! thanks!!

  2. #2
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    Maura Caffrey
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    I would say it's probably quite safe - one can spray or soak orchids in regular dishwashing detergent as long as it is properly diluted. Two cautions - 1) don't spray the leaves and put it anywhere in direct light - sunburn, etc., and 2) good luck getting rid of mealybugs with anything eco-friendly! I tried everything, incuding rubbing alcohol, finally ended up with a chemical insecticide, and once the mealybugs finally succumbed, the plant had, too. I tossed it just in case there were any of those nasty things still left - it's the only mealybug-infestation I have ever had, and I'm not looking forward to any other ones - they're pretty awful, so don't play around too much. One of your best bets might be to unpot the plant(s), soak them for an hour or so in a dilution of detergent and insecticide, then repot them in new media. As long as you don't have any bloooms or buds on them, soak the whole plant - those things hide under everything. You may still end up having to toss the infected ones - it's not worth subjecting your other orchids to potential infestation. Oh, and I'd think that if you see mealybugs n the bark, they're already hiding in their favorite places on the plant as well.

    I sympathize. Good luck!

  3. #3
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    are they almost microscopic? cuz they are almost hard to see

  4. #4
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    They can start out microscopic, but as they colonize and feed, they start to look like little bits of white cotton fluff. Are they white?

  5. #5
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    Miller
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    I've only had one infestation that I luckily caught early before I would up with my 32 plants. I diligently, multiple times a day, inspected my plant and attacked any I found with a cotton swab soacked in alchol. I eventually won the battle by removing 2 - 3 creepies a day. If your infestation is not bad you may still be able to win the war.

    Miller

  6. #6
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    its not a crazy infestation i see a couple here and there...so your saying I can use a cotton swab with alcohol and dab it and they will die?

  7. #7
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    I used it to dab and remove. Several times a day I would take a Q-tip dipped in alcohol and inspect the plant removing any I found. I got rid of them all and have not seen any since. This was late last year, so far so good!

    Good luck

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    I'm having a hard time with mealy bugs too ,tried eco friendly insecticidal soap which didn't really work neither has alcohol it will kill the bugs but some how turn up after awhile. I am now trying neem oil ,let's hope this works.
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  9. #9
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    Ray Barkalow
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    Mealy bugs can populate the root system, as well as the leaves. Unless you can soak the roots and potting medium as well - something I wouldn't do with any oil - you won't win the battle.

  10. #10
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    Given the size it doesn't sound like mealies. When I was younger I could see spider mites with the naked eye. Perhaps that is what the problem is?

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