|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
Convergence
indefineable


Registered: 07/03/15
Posts: 160
Last seen: 7 years, 8 months
|
Root Mealy Bug, hot water?
#22297866 - 09/27/15 10:51 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
I picked up a variegated aloe today ans when i inspected the roots as i do with new plants, i noticed damn mealy bugs. I read about a treatment using 120F / 49C water and 10-12 minute soaks, on roots that have been cleaned up of the dirt. Ive done this, and left the plant to dry/heal, but i still see those webs. In theory, any bugs and eggs shouls be dead, according to the scientists.
My question is, with the webs remaining, how do i know i got the little bastards? Should I repot with some diatomaceous earth? The plant has been quarantined, but i want to finish the treatment and feel comfortable to reintroduce it to being closer to my other plants. I have the pesticide chems on hand already, but would really prefer not to use. If the chems get rid of the webs i might give them a go though.
Any tips?
Here is the mealy infestation, before the clean and soak.
-------------------- “Reality is what we take to be true. What we take to be true is what we believe. What we believe is based upon our perceptions. What we perceive depends upon what we look for. What we look for depends upon what we think. What we think depends upon what we perceive. What we perceive determines what we believe. What we believe determines what we take to be true. What we take to be true is our reality.”
Edited by Convergence (09/27/15 10:56 AM)
|
Mostly_Harmless
wyrd bið ful aræd



Registered: 05/12/09
Posts: 5,043
Loc: Perfidious Albion
|
Re: Root Mealy Bug, hot water? [Re: Convergence]
#22298105 - 09/27/15 11:40 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
For a mealy infestation provided free of charge by some garden centres, I remove every last bit of soil from the roots, killing any mealy found, and removing any visible webbing, and then give the roots a rinse with isopropyl alcohol. It melts the bugs quite well, and breaks down any webbing they are hiding behind. They can survive soil drenches due to their webbing as it can be hydrophobic. They like to hide around the bases of pots too and can spread between plants through drainage holes. Or hide in the lip, avoiding any pesticide sprays or soil drenches, emerging later to re-infest.
|
Mostly_Harmless
wyrd bið ful aræd



Registered: 05/12/09
Posts: 5,043
Loc: Perfidious Albion
|
|
Hot water treatment and insecticidal coatings for disinfesting limes of mealybugs (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae).
Quote:
Abstract
Hot water immersion and insecticidal coatings were tested to determine if they could be used to disinfest Persian limes, Citrus latifolia Tanaka, of the mealybug pests Planococcus citri Risso and Pseudococcus odermatti Miller & Williams. A 20-min 49 degrees C hot water immersion treatment is effective in killing mealybugs and all other arthropods tested found externally on limes, or under the calyx. No insects or mites were found to survive after the 20-min hot water treatment. In this test, 7,200 limes were treated with 1,308 insects killed and zero survivors. Treatment at 49 degrees C for 20 min did not significantly affect quality when treated fruit were compared with untreated control fruit. Four coatings were tested at a 3% rate: two petroleum-based oils (Ampol and Sunspray oil), a vegetable oil (natural oil), and a soap (Mpede). The coatings gave up to 94% kill (Ampol) of mealybugs, which is not sufficient to provide quarantine security. The coatings might be effective as a postharvest dip before shipment.
|
LSoares
Farmer



Registered: 10/09/13
Posts: 3,209
Loc: Portugal
Last seen: 4 years, 3 months
|
|
Quote:
Mostly_Harmless said: No insects or mites were found to survive after the 20-min hot water treatment.
This is interesting.
|
kizatzhaddarak
Fairy Tail



Registered: 10/13/14
Posts: 775
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 5 years, 9 months
|
Re: Root Mealy Bug, hot water? [Re: LSoares]
#22301536 - 09/28/15 07:01 AM (8 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
I try to use (natural) pesticides whenever possible.
Pepper Mace them!!.. LOL .. Make a strong tea, with chili pods, and Tobacco (cigar.. or some Skoal). Add a drop or so of dish soap.. (Dawn if in usa,..or Fairy for UK). and spray the buggers. I usually see bugs start falling off and die, in about 15 mins or less. Its worth a try, if you do not want to use harsh chems at first.
People might also consider growing some Pyrethrum chrysanthemum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrethrum
I have some seed, and will be growing some this next year. I have also noticed that my Feverfew herb, Tanacetum parthenium .. works on some bugs similarly, and is related to the (Dalmation-chrysanthemum), too.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanacetum_parthenium
-------------------- The Sleeper Must Awaken! (I do not advocate the ingestion of any substance without extensive research, and or the advice of trained medical and or spiritual personelle)
|
kizatzhaddarak
Fairy Tail



Registered: 10/13/14
Posts: 775
Loc: Pacific Northwest
Last seen: 5 years, 9 months
|
|
You could try this thread on about home. .. on Pyrethrin.
They have a recipe at the bottom of the page. they have both a Tea-spray method. and an extract recipe.
http://houseplants.about.com/od/pests/a/Pyrethrin-Insecticides-What-Is-Pyrethrin-Insecticide.htm
-------------------- The Sleeper Must Awaken! (I do not advocate the ingestion of any substance without extensive research, and or the advice of trained medical and or spiritual personelle)
|
|