Melt mealybug from the stems of orchids and sensitive tropical houseplants with this cheap and easy spray.

Bob Thompson, an orchid hobbyist who lives in Florida, says this formula will control mealybugs on any plant, including citrus and poinsettias. The soap kills some of the mealybugs right away as it penetrates their protective coating, Bob says. Survivors are then suffocated by the thin coating of corn oil. "it's horribly effective," Bob reports. "within days, every mealybug is gone."

Ingredients and supplies

1 gallon water

Pressure sprayer

2 tablespoons corn oil

2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid

Directions

1. Place the water in a clean pressure sprayer.
2. Mix in oil and dishwashing liquid.
3. Aplly thoroughly to plants infested with mealybugs. Make sure the mixture coats the insects well. The mixture will not harm sensitive orchid foliage, but to be effective, it must contact the insects directly.

Note: Bob usually makes a gallon-size batch of drench for his greenhouse full of orchids. For smaller jobs, just make a quart of drench and use a pump spray bottle.

Recheck your plants about 2 weeks after treatment because some mealybug eggs may have survived. If you find only a few mealybug, either repeat the treatment or follow up with an alcohol spray.

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