What is this?

[mpiggy]

Hi All,

I've been visiting Orchid Geeks for a while and impressed at the collective knowledge of this site.

I am sad that instead of my first post being a beautiful bloom - I'm posting a bug.

I discovered these scale insects in the lemon trees that providing dappled lighting for several orchids. I sometimes hang my orchids in them...
It wasn't until I noticed the ants today that I realized I had a bug issue.

Before they cause noticeable damage to the orchids, I thought I should know what I'm dealing with.

Also, since I started poking around closely, I did find one mealy bug. A small one. No sign of any others. Can I be so lucky?

You comments are appreciated!

[Leafmite]

I hope you will be that lucky but, alas, it isn't always the case. With the citrus, if you are going to eat the fruit, you shouldn't use a systemic so what I do with both my orchids and edible plants is I remove the scale with cotton balls and alcohol once a week until I don't see any for a few weeks. I do the same with mealy bugs. I treat all my houseplants (not the orchids) that are non-edibles with some granular rose systemic, then, so as not to get a nasty infestation. The alcohol thing is time consuming with very leafy plants like citrus so hopefully someone else has a better plan for you. The clear Terro traps, made with borax, seem to work well to get rid of the ants and you definitely want to do that because they will keep bringing a new supply of scale. If the ants are living in a pot and the trees are small enough, I would soak the pot in the laundry tub overnight and make certain the leaves don't touch anything (you don't want to give them a way out). Good luck!
Leafmite

[mpiggy]

Thank you Leafmite.
Didn't realize ants carry the scale with them!! Will be more vigilant.
Off to the nursery to find the systemic.

[Onleme]

Spray with Eco Oil (non toxic) if you can get it as this is the best and non toxic. Or White Oil. Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid to the spray to help it stick to the mongrel's

Steve

[dounoharm]

move em from the citrus trees....the trees are harbouring the pests.....and do spray with systemic.....gl

[mpiggy]

Can't find a systemic for indoor use... anyone have any suggestions? I've visited 4 local nurseries.

I've moved the orchids away from the trees, and have been rubbing off the scales (from the trees) with alcohol. But was horrified when I found two small mealy bugs on one citrus tree leaf.

The plants are all in the same room because the it's the only room with sufficient lighting for the trees and the orchids, but after reading about other peoples' problems with mealy bugs - I'm paranoid! So far no signs of scale or mealy bugs on the orchids.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

[sunshine]

Bayer 3 and 1 systematic can be found at any good garden center, Lowes,Home Depot and Walmart. I used it on my cyms this summer while they were outside and gave them a dose before I brought them in for the winter.

I agree with dounoharm remove them from the source and make sure you treat the ants to.

Another you might want to consider is Bayer Advanced Dual Action Rose and Flower Insect Killer. Kills on contact and protects up to 30 days. Works great on mealy bugs,ants,thrips,scale insects (crawler stage) and aphids. For severe infestation repeat every 7-14 days as necessary.

I have several types of bug killers Fungicide, physan 20, Bayer 3+1,rubbing alcohol. I inspect regularly. By doing this I can catch em early before they turn into an infestation. If one orchid has mealies on the shelf, I treat all of them. Orchids are like children. If one gets it they all get it

[dounoharm]

you can place the plants in a large plastic bag and spray em....if you cant take em outside to spray....but use the systemic if you want the problem eradicated....no other solution, sorry.....