Question
Hello Jim,

The alcohol used to eradicate MealyBugs..is it the same as Rubbing Alcohol. Does this have to be diluted? If so at what ratio? Should it be sprayed on the plant or dabbed with a Q-tip?

I do not have mealybugs on my orchids...thank God...but just in case...i want to be sure of what i need to do.

Thanks

nita

Answer
Hello Nita,

That's a good question.  Hopefully you will never need to take this advice but it is better to be prepared, just in case.  Yes, it is the same as rubbing alcohol.  

For just a few mealies, you can try dipping a Q-tip in straight alcohol and touch the mealybug individually.  They will probably be picked up by the Q-tip which you can dispose of in your trash.  For a large infestation, I use one of those small spray bottles and squirt the alcohol all over the leaves, being sure to get the underside where most mealies hide.  You should spray the infested plants every 3 days until you are sure you've gotten them all.  But I would suggest you repot all heavily infested plants into new pots and fresh new potting material.  Why?  The mealies you see may only be the tip of the iceburg, with many more still hiding down in the pot.  The only sure way to get rid of them is to repot, cleaning all old potting material off the roots, thoroughly drenching the entire plant including the roots in alcohol prior to repotting.  Just don't leave the plant and roots in the alcohol for more than a few minutes, too long a drench can be toxic (or should I say intoxicating?  grin).  

In the meantime, be alert and check your orchids periodically, especially the underside of the leaves.  

Good luck and good growing.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.