Will wrote: "Would someone please recommend an efficient way to rid Paphs of mealybugs. I've used insecticidal soap and parafinic oil weekly, and occasional spray of Bayer Rose and Flower Insect killer (cyfluthrin + imidacloprid), but the bugs reemerge when I stop. Do the bugs hide down in the potting media? Do I need to drench the media with soap or something more aggressive?)
Will Cassano Reisterstown, MD I think you'll need to do a drench, the mealybugs will be down among the roots, since you mention they re-emerge when you stop your chemical applications. Using a systemic twice, 2 weeks apart 'should' get rid of them. I've used Latox for mealybugs and scale in the past with good success (although it didn't touch the spider mites, which tells me they're resistant to it!). Wear gloves at least if you use the above product though, you may want to think about a respirator too. Another chemical that should work is Admire (Imidicloprid). Again, it sounds like a drench is in order for your pest problem. Cody Cruise Valley Pest Consulting _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
