I got very frutrated with an on going mealy bug explosion in my phals so i figured i would just soak a plant in 99.9% rubbing alcohol for a few minutes and see what happened. Not sure if that was a good idea but it been 24 hours and it still looks sort of alright. Who thinks it will live and who thinks it will die??? oh yea i also repotted it at the same time. Am i an orchid killer extrodinare or what??
Dunking and orchid in rubbing alcohol
Jul 16, 2008
Last reply: 18 years ago
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It will live and thrive. But watch it for a week to ten days, and consider treating again. Mealies are pretty easy to control using alcohol.
I hate the little suckers, though. Just when you think everything is fine, there they are!
Diana
I use a spraying regiment using Ortho® Systemic Insect Killer Concentrate and totally eliminated all mealy bugs on my phals It worked just as well on scale on my catts but you have to keep at it well after you think you killed them all.
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Duncan, When using highly concentrated alcohol, it isn't necessary to soak for a few minutes. Alcohol is extremely toxic to insects on contact. A simple dunk to ensure covering every nook & cranny is sufficient. Find an insect. Spray it with your 99.9% concentration alcohol. Watch it die instantly. --Stitzelweller
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