New method for controlling Mealy Bugs....?

[Chris L]

I've been pondering over the winter about ways of combatting mealy bugs. Then one evening the thought hit me. What we need to do is create an environment where we can get the mealy bug to ingest some kind of fluid that will allow us to pick them off the plant without a lot of hassle by making them sticky.

What if, I wondered, I could MAGNETISE the mealy bug. If I could get the mealys to ingest Iron somehow then they would be attracted to a magnet. So as a trial in early March, with plants in the house, I watered some small plants that had mealy bugs evident with water that had iron nails steeping in it for several weeks.

The plants were left a few days to soak up the water and to give the mealy bugs chance to ingest it. Well what do you know - IT WORKED.

Even with just a small magnet the mealy bug popped off the plant and stuck to the end of the magnet. Clearly to do a whole collection will need a much bigger magnet, but as a trial I am quite satisfied.

Should anyone wish to try it I suggest testing on a non valuable plant first.

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[el48tel]

Nice idea. Theoretically feasible. There are magnetic mixtures used in many industries. But I fear this may be considered as being cruel to animals.
Good April Fool!

[Keith L]

How did you stop the whole plant being attracted by the magnet - surely there would be a lot of iron it in - and the whole plant pop out of the pot!?!?

[Stuart]

The EU has already banned this method as it affects homing pigeons with metal tags on their legs. The pigeons are attracted to magnetised greenhouses where they're hooked on hook-spined Mamms and slowly eaten by mealy bugs.

Stuart

[MikeDom]

New method … I think you've nailed it Chris.

[juster]

I might have given it a try, but don't think I've got time now before 12 noon! Good fun Chris, thanks!

[iann]

Magnets are always the right answer. What was the question, now?

[agavedave]

You need to ensure that the head of the bugs are facing South otherwise it doesn't work so well!

[Tony R]

Well done, Chris, I too am pleased I read this after 12 noon.

[Brian]

Nice one Chris. I fell for one hook line and sinker this time last year but not this time. May just try this though...... nah!