Mealybug on an orchid: how to get rid of pests and remedies

The appearance of a mealybug on orchids is a real disaster for gardeners, because getting rid of the parasite is very difficult. Despite the fact that there are no problems with the detection of an insect, plant lovers note the fact that even repeated treatments do not guarantee the complete destruction of the worm.

Insects choose for their habitat weakened plants contained in violation of the conditions:

• inappropriate temperature conditions;
• insufficient or excessive lighting;
• improper feeding.

Infection with a mealybug

The most popular among the mealybug are orchids, which in excess receive fertilizers containing a large amount of nitrogen.

Domestic flowers are attacked by the parasite mainly in winter. At this time, there is a decrease in daylight hours, and orchids lack natural light. Some plant lovers forget about the backlight, in addition, the humidity indicator changes, because the heating system begins to work.

However, in the summer, no one is safe from the appearance of insects. Ideal conditions for the worm are created at elevated temperatures from +23 to + 27 ° C, especially if the plants are not sprayed on time.

The parasite can enter the house in the following ways:

• the orchid purchased at the store is already infected;
• the ants brought the larvae into the room;
• the wind also carries insects;
• the soil mixture contains larvae.

Mealybug on an orchid

Having dealt with the ways of the appearance of the mealybug on the orchid, it is worth talking about the symptoms that appear on plants:

• buds, flowers, young pagons are covered with fluffy white lumps, under which the females lay their eggs;
• leaf plates and petals are covered with a sticky secret;
• deformation of plant parts;
• the appearance of brown-brown spots, as well as putrefactive patches.

The family of Semi-winged includes more than 2200 different species, this also includes the pest of orchids. Most of all, plants suffer from bristly and citrus worms. It is worth getting acquainted with these parasites in more detail.

Bristly

Adult individuals have the shape of the body of a long oval of about 3.5 mm. The color may be orange or pinkish, there must be a white coating. The parasite has well-developed limbs, which allows it to easily move from one plant to another. Most often, the worm can be found on the lower sides of the leaves, in their sinuses. Pests live in colonies.

Mealybug

Notice the bristle worm is quite simple - after it remains a white powdery coating and waxy formations similar to cotton lumps, they are also white. After damage, the leaves begin to turn yellow and subsequently fall off.

Citrus

Individuals have a variety of color variations; there are both light yellow and brown. It is typical for females to secrete a sweet secretory fluid, which is also called the paddy. Males have the ability to fly, look like flies, having a yellow and pink color.

To remove parasites is not as simple as it seems. When adverse conditions occur, insects secrete a large amount of wax, which will protect them from the effects of chemicals. Eggs cover cotton fibers from harm.

Mealy mealybug

If a mealybug is found on orchids, then the plants must be isolated from others. As for the methods of struggle, it is necessary to look at the degree of spread of the infection.

Flowers, buds or peduncles populated by parasites must be removed. Some types of flowers have pseudobulbs that cover dry flakes. These growths are also removed, the bulb is treated with alcohol deposited on a cotton swab. This measure allows you to get rid of larvae, which are difficult to notice due to the microscopic size.

The fight begins with the removal of the worm mechanically. The insects along with cotton bags are removed using tweezers, then destroyed. Places where worms were found must be disinfected, using alcohol tincture, the plant itself is thoroughly washed. Thanks to this procedure, sweet secretory fluid and remaining pests are removed. To wipe the leaves, a soap solution and a cotton swab are used.

Folk remedies for mealybug

Mealybug on an orchid how to get rid of? You can cure the plant using proven products that do not contain chemical components. There are soap, alcohol, Pancake week and other types of infusions.

Preparation of soap solution, folk recipe:

• powdered soap - 20 grams;
• warm water - 1 liter;
• alcohol - 1 tablespoon.

Mix and dissolve the components in water. The tool is used to wipe the leaves, it helps to remove parasites. Particular attention should be paid to the location of the parasite's cocoons.

Mechanical processing of plants

Garlic infusion

For cooking you will need:

• garlic - several large cloves;
• boiling water - ½ liter;
• cloves of garlic in crushed form pour boiling water and insist for 4 hours.

Before using the decoction, it must be filtered. A brush is dipped into the product, with its help the whole plant is treated.

Horsetail infusion

A quick way to get rid of the mealybug is to use a solution with horsetail. The grass itself is purchased in a pharmacy store and diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 1. Infusion needs to spray plants.

Horsetail infusion

Vegetable oil

You can use both olive and sunflower oil. It is bred in the amount of 2 tablespoons in water (1 liter). Leaves are treated with a brush or spray.

Chemicals for the destruction of the worm

Chemistry comes to the rescue in those cases if after machining or folk methods there are no results. You can purchase the necessary preparations in a specialized gardening store.

As for how to use the products, before helping orchids, you need to carefully study the instructions that are on the packages or inside them. In those cases, if a very large amount of the final solution is indicated, then ½ of the proposed volume is taken to reduce the dosage. It is convenient to measure liquid products with a syringe having the right volume.

Which drug to choose

To date, there is a huge number of chemical developments, the most effective action in the following:

• "Actars";
• "Actellika";
• Bankola
• "Mospilana";
• "Fitoverma".

The listed products are toxic, therefore, during use, you must be careful and take care of personal protective equipment, such as gloves and a bathrobe. If the drugs got on the mucous membrane, then the place is washed with a large amount of running water. For persistent pain and redness, consult a doctor.

Aktara

The use of drugs in full accordance with the instructions will avoid overdosing and causing harm to the plant. An increase in the amount of the product or the multiplicity of treatments in an unauthorized manner leads to the fact that the orchid receives chemical burns.

All of these tools help fight insects.

 When a parasite appears in the roots, the process of decay can begin, which will lead to the death of the plant. To rid a flower of insects, you must:

• Remove the orchid from the pot, clean from the substrate;
• The product is diluted, according to the instructions, in a container of a suitable size where the plant is then placed. Processing time should be indicated, if not, then 20 minutes will be enough;

Any disease is always easier to prevent than to cure, because there are a number of measures to prevent the appearance of a mealybug:

1. Acquired orchids must be quarantined for 14 days to make sure that the plants are healthy.
2. Periodic inspections of flowers for pests. Small worm colonies are much easier to destroy.
3. Monitoring the correct conditions of detention. Healthy plants are rarely attacked by parasites.

The appearance of diseases and pests on orchids is not a reason for panic. First of all, problem instances are isolated, and treatment begins. Worms in the larval stage even survive chemical treatment; plants need to be returned to their permanent location only after they have fully recovered.