Garden Pests

[Jamo]

I live on the edge of a forest that supplies a seemingly limitless plague of Mealy Bugs. In light of the fact that my plants produce an edible crop, I really wish to avoid using chemicals wherever possible. Is an organic solution possible? If not, at a last resort, does anyone know of an effective chemical I could purchase in Samui?

[loong]

Depending on what you are growing, you can plant some marigolds and tomatoes as decoys as mealybugs seem to prefer these.

The problem with mealybugs is that by the time you notice them, they are usually established. Spraying with Neem oil will get rid of them eventually. Soap is also effective.

[loong]

You may read some useful stuff here

http://tropical-gardening.blogspot.com/2009/12/organic-mealy-bug-repellent.html

[craigt3365]

Let's move this over to the plants forum.

Topic Moved.

[loong]

Let's move this over to the plants forum.

Topic Moved.

May I suggest that it may be also useful to post in the organic and kitchen garden forum

[23962323]

Mealy bug as I can remember is covered in a woolly waxy coating,once plucked you see tiny red insects. The best method ,in fact the only method I have used is cotton wool steeped in rubbing alcohol and at each stem or wherever the bug is wiping it clear. The alcohol cuts through the waxy layer of the cocoon

Rubbing alcohol is sold at most pharmacies as is dirt cheap

Edited March 29, 2012 by 23962323

[Jamo]

Thanks to all for the helpfull info Have already purchased some Neem and Citronella concentrate specifically designed for spraying on plants. We shall see how this works.

[drtreelove]

It is common to just want to 'kill the bugs', like we want to 'take a pill' and get better, rather than looking at the larger picture of why the pests are there (or why we are sick). Plant pest control is best acheived with a wholistic/comprehensive approach to plant health care, including the cultural practices that can get on the side of nature, instead of continually working against it.

I doubt if the nearby forest is the source of your 'mealy bugs' problem; look closer to home; these pests appear whether there is nearby forest or not. Are you over-fertilizing your plants, making them more attractive to pests, or are you killing or not encouraging natural enemies of the pests. Are you not controlling the ants that farm the pests for their 'honeydew' and protect the pests from natural enemies. (Try boric acid bait as discussed in Farming forum)

Inter-cropping or companion planting with pest repellent plants, as was suggested, is a viable control method. For small numbers of plants, manual/mechanical wiping off of pests is to be considered before getting out the sprayer. (a cotton glove or two is a great pest control method in some cases). Sometimes just reducing the numbers of pests can help the natural enemies get control.

When you start spraying, even with 'organic' materials, you risk reducing the natural predators as well as the pests.

Healthy soil can help plants resist pests and diseases, and is one of the most important aspects of landscape or farm management. http://www.soilminerals.com/AgricolaI.htm

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/INVERT/mealybugs.html

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/INVERT/ID/idmealybugs.html