Question
QUESTION: The species I have is the n.ventricosa x truncata,n.ventricosa x aristolochiodes,n.ventricosa x boschiana so my question is I have a little bug problem.can you tell me what type of insectside can I use to kill the aphids on my plants without harming them?I heard neem oil was good because it wouldnt harm my plants but would kill the ahipds can you tell me whats a safe method for this I have these three plants under two 40 flourescent bulbs which I leave on for 16 hrs. The water I use is distilled water.the soil is the nepenthes mix I bought from you.i have grown these three plants for about a month now.I live in westchester,illinois.

ANSWER: What sort of bug problem are you seeing?  Spider mites, scales and thrips are generally the most common type of pests associated with Nepenthes.  Your choice of insecticide will depend on the type of infestation.  (As far as I've seen in my own collection, aphids are not a pest with Nepenthes.)

Neem oil is fine for all types of infestation.  However, it's a topical application (which means it needs to come in contact with the pest), so you'll need to apply it every 7-10 days until the infestation is completely eradicated.

Another topical application is permethrin, which is most useful for treating spider mites.  You can use it for other types of infestations, but if it's spider mites you're dealing with, this is the insecticide you'll want to use.

Systemic insecticides will work well for thrips and scales (and aphids).  With systemic insecticides, you only need to apply once a month.  The insecticide doesn't need to come in contact with the insect since systemics will be absorbed by the plant.

We produce a video podcast specifically for insecticides:
http://youtu.be/lbRCdJ8ZNF0

Watch the video for demonstrations on how to use them.  All recommended insecticides shown in the video are safe to use on Nepenthes as long as you follow the instructions indicated by the manufacturer.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey jacob thanks for the much needed help you gave me.my first question is that do you have these pitchers n.merrilliana,n.truncata,orn.merrilliana x truncata if you do have these I would love to buy them from you. second queztion is if I mix these three chemicals neem oil,permethrin,and systemic insectside together will this harm my pitcher plants.ive seen the insects and there small and white but I dont know what there called maybe you might know jacob.whats your best insectsife that you use or recommend jacob and see a big improvement from using that product.

Answer
NO!  DO NOT MIX INSECTICIDES!  This is potentially dangerous.  The only advice I can give you is to follow the directions provided by the manufacturer.

Make sure to watch the video about insecticides.  All work well, depending on the infestation and your comfort level.  Based on your description, it's likely not spider mites.  Go ahead and use a systemic insecticide that we recommended in the video.  

As for Nepenthes, we have truncata, but it will be a couple more months before they are ready for release.