A year or two ago I lost a Senecio Kleiniiformis to mystery rot. A few weeks ago I finally found a little one to replace it. Well nothing's ever as simple as it seems and the new Senecio has a case of mealybugs that wasn't very present when I bought it. For the time being I've been picking them off one at a time but its becoming clear that I have to go the next step.
Now, I work at a small garden store, so I have access to a huge selection of commercial pesticides. I was wondering which of the ones in my arsenal would be best to deal with the mealybugs effectively. Here's what I have:
Permethrin contact dust
Bifenthrin spray
Acephate systemic liquid concentrate
Multiple active ingredients (obviously fungicides aren't needed in this case but may be worth listing):
Pyrethrin/Sulfur contact dust and liquid concentrate
Malathion/Carbaryl/Captan liquid concentrate
I also have alcohol ethoxylate ("spreader sticker") that might help with penetrating the mealybugs' wooly coating, but it will only work when mixed with the concentrates.
I'd appreciate any advice in getting rid of these pests, I've learned a lot about pesticides at work but nothing about using them on cacti and succulents.
Mealybugs on Senecio Kleiniiformis - best pesticide?
-
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:38 pm
- Location: CT
- Steve Johnson
- Posts: 4514
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:44 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: Mealybugs on Senecio Kleiniiformis - best pesticide?
Imidacloprid -- see this thread:Blue Trilobyte wrote:A year or two ago I lost a Senecio Kleiniiformis to mystery rot. A few weeks ago I finally found a little one to replace it. Well nothing's ever as simple as it seems and the new Senecio has a case of mealybugs that wasn't very present when I bought it. For the time being I've been picking them off one at a time but its becoming clear that I have to go the next step.
Now, I work at a small garden store, so I have access to a huge selection of commercial pesticides. I was wondering which of the ones in my arsenal would be best to deal with the mealybugs effectively. Here's what I have:
Permethrin contact dust
Bifenthrin spray
Acephate systemic liquid concentrate
Multiple active ingredients (obviously fungicides aren't needed in this case but may be worth listing):
Pyrethrin/Sulfur contact dust and liquid concentrate
Malathion/Carbaryl/Captan liquid concentrate
I also have alcohol ethoxylate ("spreader sticker") that might help with penetrating the mealybugs' wooly coating, but it will only work when mixed with the concentrates.
I'd appreciate any advice in getting rid of these pests, I've learned a lot about pesticides at work but nothing about using them on cacti and succulents.
http://www.cactiguide.com/forum/viewtop ... 24&t=33966" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
If you just want photos without all the blather, please visit my Flickr gallery.
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
-
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:38 pm
- Location: CT
Re: Mealybugs on Senecio Kleiniiformis - best pesticide?
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I got some imidacloprid 1.47% based on your suggestions. As its more concentrated than in the other thread, could you recommend a specific dilution?
Also, I'm just curious if you would know how imidacloprid compares with acephate, as they're both systemics.
Also, I'm just curious if you would know how imidacloprid compares with acephate, as they're both systemics.
[Kaktus]
- Steve Johnson
- Posts: 4514
- Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:44 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: Mealybugs on Senecio Kleiniiformis - best pesticide?
For 1.47% Imidacloprid, 1.5 tsp. per quart of water. To be honest with you, I haven't worked with acephate before, so I don't know how it compares in terms of effectiveness.Blue Trilobyte wrote:Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I got some imidacloprid 1.47% based on your suggestions. As its more concentrated than in the other thread, could you recommend a specific dilution?
Also, I'm just curious if you would know how imidacloprid compares with acephate, as they're both systemics.
If you just want photos without all the blather, please visit my Flickr gallery.
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
My location: Los Angeles, CA (Zone 10b)
Re: Mealybugs on Senecio Kleiniiformis - best pesticide?
Acephate is absorbed thru the leaves of a plan but not thru the roots. Very effective on evergreen shrubs. (Husband is a landscaper ). Sue