A friend of mine gave me a plant that apparently had mealy bugs because now my other cacti and succulents in the same room have it as well. A few of the plants were hard to come by so I really don't want to toss them. I've been killing any and every mealy bug I see with a Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol but I'm afraid it's time to consider other options.
I was wondering if anyone here has tried any insecticides on their cacti/succulents with mealy bug and had any luck?
Full Version: Mealy Bug
Bayer has a product with "Merit" that's the same as what Europeans use for CPs under the name Provado. It's the only thing I've found that works, as those mealy bugs do their worst damage a few inches under the ground.
Just remove all the soil from it and give it a good thorough spray with any brand product, put it in fresh peat and all should be ok.
I bought a few plants with it a few years ago and this method worked fine for me.
I bought a few plants with it a few years ago and this method worked fine for me.
Make sure that whatever you use is systemic otherwise you may get a re-infection as eggs hatch, if any are present. Provado is active for a couple of weeks.
Usually I try to isolate new plants for a few weeks before introducing them. Another tactic is to leave new plants for a few weeks bare rooted before potting them up. That way you can easily see if anything nasty has come along for a free trip.
Phil
Usually I try to isolate new plants for a few weeks before introducing them. Another tactic is to leave new plants for a few weeks bare rooted before potting them up. That way you can easily see if anything nasty has come along for a free trip.
Phil
QUOTE (pwilson @ 10th November 2007 - 11:36 AM) 
Make sure that whatever you use is systemic otherwise you may get a re-infection as eggs hatch, if any are present. Provado is active for a couple of weeks.
Usually I try to isolate new plants for a few weeks before introducing them. Another tactic is to leave new plants for a few weeks bare rooted before potting them up. That way you can easily see if anything nasty has come along for a free trip.
Phil
Usually I try to isolate new plants for a few weeks before introducing them. Another tactic is to leave new plants for a few weeks bare rooted before potting them up. That way you can easily see if anything nasty has come along for a free trip.
Phil
I am usually very careful but during moving I had several people helping me and plants ended up shoved everywhere.
I'd heard people talk about Bayer before but this is the only one I can find locally - http://www.bayeradvanced.com/product/Tree-...oncentrate.html
QUOTE (Tim @ 8th November 2007 - 16:11 PM)
Bayer has a product with "Merit" that's the same as what Europeans use for CPs under the name Provado. It's the only thing I've found that works, as those mealy bugs do their worst damage a few inches under the ground.
The active ingredient in "Merit" appears to be Imidacloprid. The active ingredient in "Provado" is Thiacloprid.
There are a range products under the Provado name and they may contain either Thiacloprid or Imidacloprid depending on the particular formulation. Both are similar nicotinoid compounds and either is suitable.
QUOTE (Aidan @ 15th November 2007 - 20:14 PM)
There are a range products under the Provado name and they may contain either Thiacloprid or Imidacloprid depending on the particular formulation. Both are similar nicotinoid compounds and either is suitable.
You're correct (of cause 
). I see that Provado Ultimate Bug Killer Concentrate contains Imidacloprid.
So just use as directed then? Nothing different for cacti/succulents?
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