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John Jearrard
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:19 pm Posts: 487 Location: Cornwall, UK
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Mealybugs
With the withdrawal of neonicotinoid insecticides in the EU we are left without an effective systemic insecticide and mealybug are likely to become more of a problem to those of us who have greenhouses. The traditional answer has always been to dab them with methylated spirit (only possible on a small scale). I can think of several ways in which meths might kill the insects, but does anybody know what actually happens? There must be some research somewhere, but I can't find it. Thanks.
_________________ John.
www.johnjearrard.co.uk
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Wed Nov 30, 2016 10:28 pm |
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Chad
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:03 pm Posts: 2343 Location: Inland Cornwall UK
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Re: Mealybugs
How frustrating!
The best review of the genus and their control [its control?] that I can find is available as a free download .
It doesn't answer the question though.
Its lead author has an though.
I guess you lose nothing if he choses to ignore you.
Chad.
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Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:38 am |
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charliepridham
Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:42 pm Posts: 1925 Location: Cornwall
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Re: Mealybugs
I spotted something earlier this year (which I have yet to try!) of added a very small amount of Meths to water and actually spraying the plants, This from someone in a parks department greenhouse, so an answer to John's question would be useful,
_________________ Charlie, Growing climbers in Cornwall http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk
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Thu Dec 01, 2016 8:32 am |
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Steven
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:02 pm Posts: 2486
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Re: Mealybugs
Wiki says "Imidacloprid, Thiacloprid, Dimethoate" could be an option.
Don't know if these are legal in the UK, though. The last one is at least no member of the group of neonicotinoids.
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Thu Dec 01, 2016 9:55 am |
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valdypiero
Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:04 pm Posts: 598 Location: South-east England
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Re: Mealybugs
John, although you haven't heard it from me (!) all these neonicotinoids are available on the internet if you look, even on Amazon! My view is that if you use them solely in the greenhouse, where there is no danger to bees, then it's fine to use them.
The EU Commission, in all its wisdom, has banned virtually all insecticides that actually work!!!!!! However, Bug Clear Extra is still available in the UK from Garden Centres, hardware stores etc. which contains the neonicotinoid, acetamiprid. This is effective against mealybugs.
Steven : I'm surprised you mention Dimethoate. That's supposed to be banned all over the EU, along with all other Organophosphorus insecticides. I wish I could get hold of the stuff...it was very effective on scale insects!
_________________ Cheers for now
Valdy
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Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:29 am |
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Steven
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:02 pm Posts: 2486
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Re: Mealybugs
Valdy, in Germany it is still legal and sold in trade as "Lizetan" or "Roxion".
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Thu Dec 01, 2016 11:41 am |
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Charles Wychgel
Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:09 pm Posts: 757 Location: Algarve/Portugal
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Re: Mealybugs
I had some success with a warm (50ºC) weak coffee spray in the greenhouse, in the garden not very practical though
_________________ 37º 04' 16 71" N
8º 50' 13 59" W
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Thu Dec 01, 2016 7:05 pm |
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John Jearrard
Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:19 pm Posts: 487 Location: Cornwall, UK
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Re: Mealybugs
Thank you all for your comments, I will try spraying with coffee. In my experience, spraying with almost anything helps to some extent but if I could find out how meths actually kills the insects I might be able to find a plant-friendly way of doing the job.
_________________ John.
www.johnjearrard.co.uk
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Thu Dec 01, 2016 10:39 pm |
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Stan
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 5:52 pm Posts: 10687 Location: Hayward- S.F. Bay area Ca.
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Re: Mealybugs
Mealys crawl. Maybe trying taping sticky insect paper to stems- near the axils where they like to gather..might put a hurt on them?
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Fri Dec 02, 2016 12:44 am |
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valdypiero
Joined: Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:04 pm Posts: 598 Location: South-east England
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Re: Mealybugs
John, to do a thorough job and eradicate them completely you need to use a systemic insecticide, like Bug Clear Ultra (I called it Bug Clear Extra previously from memory, but it's actually Ultra). You also need to do several lots of spraying at about 3 week intervals to kill all the generations. If you don't use a systemic its very hard to get all the little buggers and then you'll soon have another infestation. With all my greenhouse ferns I found, through bitter experience, that only a systemic will give a permanent eradication!
_________________ Cheers for now
Valdy
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Fri Dec 02, 2016 10:58 am |
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