Is Doktor Doom safe for orchids?

[TeresaE]

Started to use this stuff for the strange bugs I've got that are destroying my collection. Its Insecticide for indoor and outdoor use....supposed to kill aphids, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies and other things. I don't even know if its safe for orchids but assume it must be since it's safe for house plants. Anyone else tried it with success?

[Barbara]

Never heard of it. What is the acitive ingrediant and what is the percentage?

[TeresaE]

Really Barbara? It's pretty popular here. So, it says... Contains a botanical insecticide derived from the Chrysanthemum flower. Pyrethrins 0.20% whatever that means.

[Barbara]

Pyrethrin should do the trick since it is toxic to most bugs. I would respray every 10 days a few times before calling off the war. Keep a very close eye on the situation from now on. What is your humidiy like. If this is red spider mite, they do like drier conditions. I have spotted them crawling on the few of my plants over the years, but never have had such a large investation. My humidity is usually around 65-85 percent depanding the the weather. But do try the white paper test just to be sure. They do look like tiny, tiny red spiders. There is also the two-spotted spider mite. I have used Pyrethrin sprays on my orchids and outdoor plants and have never had a problem. Good luck.

[TeresaE]

Believe me I check every other day and treat as often as I can. My humidity is only around 20-40% and I can't get it any higher. Have a humidifier and try to keep water in the trays but here in AB especially in the winter, its very tough.

[Barbara]

It is much more damp here in Ontario, especially this year. Have you tried humidity trays with pebbles and water in them? Must be sure the pots don't sit in the water. Perhaps this method combined with the humidifier would help too.

[TeresaE]

Originally Posted by Barbara

It is much more damp here in Ontario, especially this year. Have you tried humidity trays with pebbles and water in them? Must be sure the pots don't sit in the water. Perhaps this method combined with the humidifier would help too.

Believe me....I've been doing that and then some. I have a pretty good set up but it's just the dryness here especially in the winter time that is a killer.

[Ross]

See this link --> Pyrethrins

Pyrethrins are a broad band "insecticide" that has some limited control over mites. But as I stated in the other thread, nothing works like a good miticide like kelthane. See --> Orchid Pests and their Management

[Oscarman]

Teresa - I have only used Doktor Doom outdoors to control Sowbugs around my foundation.

But I do use Safer's End-All with excellent success. You can get it in a premixed spray bottle or a jug of concentrate - you mix. It is quite a bit cheaper than Doktor Doom. Because it is a combination of oils and Pyrethrins, you get good pest control - mostly from direct contact.

According to the label info:

PESTS/SITES:

Safer’s End-All will control all stages of
aphids, spider mites and whitefly, spittle bugs, adult and
nymph stages of thrips, flea beetles, caterpillars, mealybugs,
scale insects and sugar ants.

[Barbara]

I just said to beware of Endall for orchids on the other thread. Now she won't know what to do. My problem was fungus growing on the bark afterwards and marks on the leaves especially the leaf tips of some of my orchids. Otherwise I just love Endall. Maybe use it a half strength.