If you can make contact then use alcohol. Rubbing or cheap vodka. If they are hiding and a more aggressive choice I use is powdered orthene. NOT OIL. May be mixed into the fertilizer. This has kill on contact and is a systemic that stays with the plant awhile. Good luck.

Thanks. Every time I think I have removed them, more appear. I think they are hiding down inside an outer sheath on a new growth. It's still very green and I'm afraid to tear it open to get to them, but up on that leaf is where I always find the new adults.

I'll see if I can find some powdered orthene this weekend.

I couldn't stand it any longer. Didn't want them to spread. I tore off the outer green sheath and found the nest. Good clean up and spraying with my normal soap solution and I think I got all of them. The little guy will get quarantined for a week or so to make sure its clean.

I looked it up and read that what looks like mildew on the underside of the leaves is a cluster of 300-600 eggs. See if there's any whitish fuzz there.

Leaves were clean, but that mildew white cluster was what I found inside the green sheath. I knew it had to be there, I just couldn't get my medicine inside the sheath. Taking it off seemed the best option. It's all shiny and clean now. All the plants will get a magnifying glass inspection for a couple of weeks until I'm sure none got away.

You must continue the treatment every two weeks for at least a month (more) to kill the hatching eggs. You are killing the adults but not the eggs. Keep spraying every two weeks and it should work.

Where do you live??? I wish people would list their growing zone to make advice easier. Please add that to your user name.

Jane

Sorry Jane. I keep forgetting. Fixed the profile. It's southern Virginia area. My two worst pest here seem to be mealys and spider mites. Since I grow indoors they usually aren't a problem, but every once in a while some sneak in.

Where are you finding Orthene ? None of the stores around here - jacksoville area) have it. They all say it's been discontinued.

You need a specialty orchid supply outfit. http://www.shop.greenbarnorchid.com/product.sc?productId=483&categoryId=5 is one link. Or do the google thing.

I'm having a panic attach!!!! I thought I had gotten ahead of the mealybugs, but they tricked me. They went subterranean. I was checking the little plants this morning and found this on one with a clear pot. Checked the others and all the same. I suspect the ones I can't see through are the same. Will the Orthene work down in the pot?

Yes it will work in the pot. Let it dry out first. Then drench the pot until it runs out. That should get the damn bugs.

Shavedmonkey

The product link you showed above was orthene granules. Are those to just sprinkle on the pot media are do you mix it with water?

You could use the Bayer Rose and Flower. Just sprinkle on the surface and water. It is time release and will be taken up by the roots.

I've never used the Orthene but it probably works in a similar way. Just be careful around pets and kids.

Jane

It needs to be mixed in the water. For maintenance spraying I add it to fertilizer. Follow directions precisely.

Thanks Jane. I read up on Bayer Rose and Flower and know I can get it here. I'll try that first so I can get started today.