systemics with orchid pests

[birkie]

I have a major problem with sow bugs and slugs on my orchids that are benched. I think I have controlled the slugs by placing the pots into deep water thus forcing the pests up onto the plants, but there may be more I haven't found. My greenhouse has a gravel floor and adjoins the barn so bugs have easy access. The sow bugs are in most of my big pots and I would like to use a systemic on everything. The one I have is Hi Yield Di-syston although I understand this is no longer used for some reason. Is this safe, and how often should it be used?

[DebsC]

Hi Birkie, I don't have any answers for you but hopefully someone in the know will come along shortly.

I noticed this is your first post so I want to welcome you aboard. Possibly you'll want to post to the introduction forum as well as here.

[ipv6ready]

I know nothing about that pesticide, but I suggest looking for a phone number on your container and give the manufacturer a ring to see if it is "just" no longer made or if it is deregistered.

If no luck in that front try finding it in your countries enviromental agency websites.

If it was deregistered there is always a BIG reason so even if you have bucket loads, think of your health first.

Having said that the manufacturer could have stop making it beacuse there are better/cheaper alternatives.

So before you go ahead, try to get as much information as possible.



PS: Also be aware that the pesticide can be banned because of a minor addictive!!!

[goodgollymissmolly]

Roly Poly, Rolly Pollies, Roly-Polys, Pillbugs, Pill Bug

The key here is that sow bugs and roly polys are attracted to wet, decaying medium. As I'm sure you know, orchids are not usually attracted to the same situation.

We were easily interested as kids in the Florida panhandle. We could spend hours making roly polys roll up into balls. Believe it or not, it was more educational than texting your friends about nothing. I think cellular phones should be illegal until you are 21.

[birkie]

Thanks for the greetings and info. The systemic was withdrawn by the manufacturer so it wasn't banned, but my main question was whether any systemic will work with orchids in bark. I suspect that I routinely overpot and am now trying to stuff my roots into smaller and smaller pots. I had some beautiful big cattleya buds nibbled by slugs.

[tuvoc]

Hi birkie. A systemic insecticide works by entering the plant, and killing the critters that eat the tissue containing the poison, so the plant has to be eaten before the stuff works. A better idea would be to get rid of them before they get to your plants. There are several baits that you can spread around the area that will get rid of them before they get to your plants.

Kim

[birkie]

I appreciate your comment, Kim, but do not know how to spread the granules around on my orchid benches. I would assume they would just wash off when I spray down the area. I am still unsure how the granules would work in a pot with bark. Has anyone done this?

[goodgollymissmolly]

Birkie, this is not that hard. Go get some insecticide (preferably a water based liquid) from Lowes or Home Depot. Mix as recommended and pour into the bark medium. There are many that will kill the bugs you have. If you need a recommendation, try one with Merit as the active ingredient. Orthene will work, as will malathion, or one of the pyrethrins (I don't like the last one because it is more toxic than the newer, artificial materials listed first).

If you want a granular one, just sprinkle it over the top of the bark and forget it. It won't work as well as the liquid which wets all the bark.

If you have bugs running loose on the benches just spray them with any household insecticide when you see them.

If you have slugs, that's a whole other story. You can use iron phosphate on your medium and benchtops. It is granular and safe to use around pets (some other slug baits are not safe at all). If you can see the slugs or believe they travel on your benches at night, then spray the slugs or benches with the following: 1 cup of household ammonia and a dash of dish detergent in 2 gallons of water. You will need to do this every evening for a while until the creatures are gone...and they will be gone. The ammonia fries their butts like Mickey D's does potatoes.

[birkie]

Thanks, I'll give them a try.

[orchids3]

Has anyone use Carbryl or Sevin? I had Millipedes in my plants and carbryl was suggested. It seems to work most of what gets into the media.