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| Posted: 23 Feb 2011 15:46 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2011 |
Posts: 10 Reputation: 1 User Rank: 1 - Seedling 
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| I have a 10" hybrid Ag in an azalea pot that has performed well for 6 months. Then bam, mealy bug. Whats the best solution for containing the little creatures? | |
| Posted: 23 Feb 2011 16:03 Last Edited By: Clem | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jan 2011 |
Posts: 798 Reputation: 43 User Rank: 10 - Blossom 
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That depends on your philosophy and what you're licensed to do in your state, Marcus.
There are some beneficial organisms ("mealybug destroyer" = Cryptolaemus montrouzieri) that can control mealybugs, provided the infestation isn't too far advanced. You can also use horticultural oil as directed on the label for use as a leafshine and it should control the problem if it's not too heavy an infestation. If you are a licensed pesticide applicator in your state, there are several good choices, including Marathon (Imidacloprid) as a foliar spray, or as a drench or a granular soil-incorporated application. The foliar spray will give quick knockdown as well as residual control for several weeks; the soil-based treatments will take a couple of weeks to work. There's also insecticidal soap spray for contact kill but no residual effect...complete coverage and contact with all the bugs is key to good control. Getting a contact-only spray down into all the crevices and leaf axils of a bushy Aglo is no easy task, though. Clem |
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| Posted: 25 Feb 2011 16:34 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2011 |
Posts: 10 Reputation: 1 User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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| Thanks Clem. That Marathon is pretty pricey stuff. Well worth it. I sure this won't be the last mealy bug I encounter. | |
| Posted: 25 Feb 2011 17:22 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2011 |
Posts: 2 Reputation: Unranked User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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| Can the "mealybug destroyers" be seen by customers, and, do they fly? | |
| Posted: 25 Feb 2011 17:36 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jan 2011 |
Posts: 798 Reputation: 43 User Rank: 10 - Blossom
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They are a lady beetle larva that actually resembles mealybug. They won't stick around too much longer than it takes to eat up the food source.
Clem |
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| Posted: 25 Feb 2011 18:04 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Feb 2011 |
Posts: 2 Reputation: Unranked User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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Thanks Clem,
It's an honor to finally "talk" to you. I have used your advice for years with great results. |
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| Posted: 25 Feb 2011 20:27 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jan 2011 |
Posts: 798 Reputation: 43 User Rank: 10 - Blossom
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As Todd Rundgren remarked between songs on his classic double-LP "Something/Anything"..."throw money!"
Glad to have helped. Clem |
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| Posted: 22 Jun 2011 14:49 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jun 2011 |
Posts: 1 Reputation: Unranked User Rank: 1 - Seedling
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| Safari works better than Marathon (same chem class but safari seems to uptake better) | |
| Posted: 23 Jun 2011 00:05 | |
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Registered User Currently Offline Join Date: Jan 2011 |
Posts: 798 Reputation: 43 User Rank: 10 - Blossom
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Safari is no cure-all, either. The relative newcomer Kontos reputedly works better because it is both xylem- and phloem-active, so it moves upward, downward and throughout the treated plant. It is also a systemic miticide, the longed-for Holy Grail of the interiorscaper, but a number of common interiorscape plants don't like it and are excluded or cautioned on the label ("Do not use on: geraniums, orchids, hoya, Dracena, Cordyline, Schefflera, neanthebella palm and ferns. See the product label for additional crop tolerance information").
http://ohp.com/Company/Newsletter/Winter09/ko ... http://www.ohp.com/Labels_MSDS/PDF/kontos_lab ... http://www.ohp.com/PIB/PDF/kontos_490_pib.pdf Unfortunately, EPA is currently undertaking a review of commonly used agricultural and structural pesticides to determine whether any of them need to be restricted further or even banned. There's your change. Clem |
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