Has anybody ever experimented with Malathion for pest control like Red Bugs, flatworms etc. I know that it is deadly for aquatic life, fish etc so any frags dipped would need to be carefully washed. It works wonders on garden pests like mealy bugs, etc so I wonder how it would fair as a dipping agent for corals.
Malathion
- Thread starter Bryan
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Better experiment on something cheap, sounds like trouble. But then again if you told me heartworm meds were the best thing for red bug, I would say "sounds like trouble". So give it a shot. My guess is that the carrier agent for malathion would be worse than the active ingredient. I think malathion is generally sold as an EC (emulsifiable concentrate) those usually have some toluene or benzene in them as a solvent for the active ingredient (thats partly why they stink so bad).
I'm surprised you like it for insect control, the greenhouse biz pretty much abandoned that stuff 20yrs ago, though I know it's still used regularly in the landscape. There are several miticides that I think would be worth experimenting with, floramite, sanmite, avid and a few others, though interceptor is like magic on red bugs, not sure why we need to keep looking for ways to kill RB.
I'm surprised you like it for insect control, the greenhouse biz pretty much abandoned that stuff 20yrs ago, though I know it's still used regularly in the landscape. There are several miticides that I think would be worth experimenting with, floramite, sanmite, avid and a few others, though interceptor is like magic on red bugs, not sure why we need to keep looking for ways to kill RB.
Yeah, think you are right there, it stinks horribly and no doubt the solvent would be very detrimental to any frag.
Being in Canada, Malathion is about the only insecticide that you can buy across the counter, although I did find a few online places that sell sanmite as you mentioned, may give that a shot for the greenhouse. Only problem with Interceptor is finding a vet to prescribe it.
coralreefdoc
New member
Imidacloporid is a good alternative, imo, and is effective against red bugs
gon08
New member
Over the counter pesticides are already being used as dips.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1965880
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1965880
Bryan I'm surprised you cant get imidacloprid over counter. I have seen it sold as Merit, Benefit, Mallet, Marathon and a few other names I can't think of right now. Its also used on dogs for flea and tick control, so it's very low risk (at least to mammals). Great for aphids and whitefly, no use at all on mites, but Sanmite is excellent for most mites.
silentscream
New member
I'm floored that you can even buy malathion over the counter in Canada.
Just curious rmalone, were you in the nursery/greenhouse industry? How did you come to learn about pest control products?
Just curious rmalone, were you in the nursery/greenhouse industry? How did you come to learn about pest control products?
gon08
New member
I'm in the landscape business and he is correct. I use Merit and Dominion for white fly, scale, and mealy bugs.
Yeah I own a greenhouse, about 1.3 acre covered up. Other miticides that are effective on plants would be Floramite, Avid (sometimes helpful on thrips also).
Conserve (spinosad) is another chemical that is primarily used for thrips, and dogs (I think just for fleas) that might be kind to coral but help with pests, very low risk chemical. Note, Conserve shows no control of mites. It's one of the few chemicals that are considered relatively safe for beneficial mites.
On another note the only chemical I have used on coral is Interceptor, so don't take anything I say about chemicals and assume it's useful for coral. Better be darn careful if your going to play that game, lol.
Conserve (spinosad) is another chemical that is primarily used for thrips, and dogs (I think just for fleas) that might be kind to coral but help with pests, very low risk chemical. Note, Conserve shows no control of mites. It's one of the few chemicals that are considered relatively safe for beneficial mites.
On another note the only chemical I have used on coral is Interceptor, so don't take anything I say about chemicals and assume it's useful for coral. Better be darn careful if your going to play that game, lol.
Bought some at the local Canadian Tire (Hardware/Houseware chain) and Rona (similar to a Home Depot). Surprised me as well, since most other places do not sell any type of pesticide/insecticide any more.
No, have not seen it sold in gardening sections, but perhaps will look at the pet supply places. Off topic but always struggle with mealybugs on tropicals and orchids. Malathion works great but not labelled for indoor use, although I have moved some tropicals/orchids to a balcony and spot sprayed them.
Would imidacloprid be useful in eradicating mealy bugs?
You know a previous gent said it has worked great on mealybug and scale. The only experience I have had on mealybug and scale was with very large tropicals out of florida and I applied imidacloprid as a granular to the soil (that was the only available product in the late 90's). Now days you can buy wettable powder which can be used as a soil drench or as a wet spray. My guess is it would be more effective as a wet spray along with a soil drench for mealy bug and scale control.
For both of those insects don't discount the usefulness of a hardcore wash down with the hose.
For both of those insects don't discount the usefulness of a hardcore wash down with the hose.
gon08
New member
Imidacloprid does work on mealy bugs. We use it as a soil drench and in your part of the world may remain active in the plant for up to 12 months. In Florida we use it bi annually as a control in susceptible plants such as Hibiscus. Not sure in a more controlled environment such as a green house though.
Bifenthrin is also a relatively safe product that works well for mealy bugs however you have to get the product on the insect for it to be effective and there is also no residual.
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