Hi all! I know this is technically a pest question but it’s very orchid-specific, so I thought I’d ask here. I have mealy bugs IN THE CROWN of my orchid. I have wiped out what I can with a dry q-tip but I am TERRIFIED to get any sort of moisture including pest treatment (I usually use neem oil). Any thoughts or advice on what to do about this? Thank you in advance!
Can you either pull a bit of the atop cotton off and roll it so it makes a bit of a cone/string and then dip it in the iso so you can reach down further. OR roll a small bit of paper towel and use the corner to dip in there?
2 J'aimeI agree- I would try to elongate the cotton swab tip and use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol.) That is my go-to works a charm remedy for mealy bugs. Alcohol does tend to evaporate pretty quickly, so it should be ok- I use it specifically in the leaf joints and all the nooks and crannies they like to hide in. I’ve never had a rot issue. If you are super concerned though, put a drop in the crown, give it a few secs, then use a paper towel to soak up any excess.
3 J'aimeJust be sure to check and treat every couple days to find any mature ones. I made the mistake of not repotting when I had my out break, and they just came back two weeks later.
1 j'aimeDiomataceous earth - mine came with a little dust sprayer, will get into all the crevasses
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