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alcohols for mites

Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 7:21 pm
by Mawa
I often see advise to spray various alcohols (methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol) onto plants as means to fight spider mite. My thinking was that alcohols probably dehydrate small critters. Today I have done a completely unscientific observational study to answer the following question: Does methanol kill spider mite?

Method: I placed mites onto black paper (so I can see them better) soaked with 99.9% methanol (aka methyl hydrate).
Results: Upon placing, the mites immediately stopped crawling. Once the paper completely dried off, all of them happily resumed their activity.
Discussion: I think highly volatile liquids like alcohols upon evaporation depress oxygen's partial pressure, thereby temporarily suffocating the critters. Once oxygen concentration is restored, the pest suffers no permanent damage. Conclusion: Alcohols are useless in fighting spider mite.

Re: In your opinion, which are the 3 worst pests in succulen

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:30 pm
by Ernie
UK seller- Plumeria2U are selling a red spider mite killer that works very well. I am using it. I also bought a couple of their rare dwarf Plumerias this year and they have established well. Looking forward to the flowers.

Re: In your opinion, which are the 3 worst pests in succulen

Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 2:02 pm
by Tony H
I grow many of my plants in a heated greenhouse, and I personaly find that red spider mite is by far my most annoying pest.
I find myself treating infestations on a regular basis. I have periods where everything appears to be fine, but never for very long.
After red spider mite, comes mealy bug, followed by scarid fly larvae.

Re: In your opinion, which are the 3 worst pests in succulen

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 2:46 pm
by Roger Mann
Hi Tony, For getting rid of mealy Bug I use Ant Powder and it works for me. Ant Powder containers say "Ant Powder" and other crawling insects. I also sprinkle it onto trays that contain plants. I use it on my Echeverias. Anyhow thats what I do..............Roger. :grin:

Re: In your opinion, which are the 3 worst pests in succulen

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 4:35 pm
by Tony H
Hi Roger,
thank you for that tip. It is something that I have never thought of, and I will certainly give it a try.
Tony

Re: In your opinion, which are the 3 worst pests in succulen

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 5:20 pm
by Diane
Thanks from me too, Roger. I have started another obsession for Echeverias, and although my plants are pretty well mealybug free, Eches do seem rather prone to attracting them. Shall buy some tomorrow!

Re: In your opinion, which are the 3 worst pests in succulen

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 7:50 pm
by Roger Mann
Hi Diane,

Just to say that all my Echeverias go outside for the Summer months. I n fact they have all just returned to the green houses for winter. Despite the rain this summer they all stayed out and it did them no harm, in fact they put on a lot of growth...................Roger. :grin:

Re: In your opinion, which are the 3 worst pests in succulen

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:37 pm
by Liz M
Thanks for the useful tip, Roger, it sounds quite intriguing but I'm pretty fed up with mealy bugs, so happy to give it a try.
Like you I have had my Echeverias outside for summer (during the drier times) but I have had to put them back in the greenhouse, as it has absolutely poured over the last few days. They have grown very well this year and are still growing at quite a rate.

Re: In your opinion, which are the 3 worst pests in succulen

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2012 8:13 pm
by Martin
After repotting about 20 of my ELK plants today I have decided it root mealy bug

I have managed to keep this at bay in the main collection by good cleaning and keeping new plant apart for a period so not impressed with so many of the new one full of it :evil:

Re: In your opinion, which are the 3 worst pests in succulen

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:07 pm
by iann
Interesting that Echeverias are known for mealy bugs. Root mealy bugs, I'm guessing? Or is it on the leaves? I haven't noticed them but then I only have a few of these.