OT insect question

marisa · 08-13-03, 09:42 PM

This isn't about feeder insects but I couldn't really think of a better bunch of people to ask......

We have these all over ONE plant in our garden (The plant is called a Chinese Lantern) they aren't affecting the other plants and I have no clue how to get rid of them. The plant is about to die, a month ago it was about two feet by two feet and lush. Now its next to nothing and COVERED with these *things*

<img src="http://members.rogers.com/mattl/what.jpg">
<img src="http://members.rogers.com/mattl/what2.jpg">

Can anyone tell me what they are or how to get rid of them? (no pesticides or chemicals please! )

thanks people
Marisa

BWSmith · 08-13-03, 09:47 PM

Nicotine (tobacco) is one of the best insect killers ever.

marisa · 08-13-03, 09:49 PM

Really? Well since I smoke like a chimney, its in large supply here. How would I go about using it in relation to the problem?

Marisa

08-13-03, 09:52 PM

put a couple of cigs in a quart of hot water for a few hours, then strain it into a spray bottle and spray the little buggers

LurkerAccount · 08-13-03, 10:17 PM

Nicotine, is a chemical.... A chemical is matter, matter is anything that occupies space, and has mass...

So what you need is some kind of energy...
Electrical might do, Kenetic would take some time..... heat would kill the plant...

eerrmm...

08-13-03, 10:23 PM

aaashrimp, what are you talking about?

LurkerAccount · 08-13-03, 10:27 PM

what do you mean ??

LurkerAccount · 08-13-03, 10:27 PM

Nicotine is a chemical, he said no chemicals.

marisa · 08-13-03, 11:21 PM

I didn't mean no chemicals or anything that has mass dude. There is no way I am going as far as giving them electrical shocks of any kind. I'd pour gasoline on the plant and torch it before going through the trouble of electrical shocking something! LOL

But thanks. I just kinda meant nothing like pesticides or heavy nasty chemicals.

THANKS Folks!
Marisa

Linds · 08-13-03, 11:25 PM

Another alternative to nicotine is to use a very mild dishsoap solution. This is commonly used for smaller pests such as aphids and the like in greenhouses, so I would imagine it would be worth a try on whatever those little buggers are. Just mix it up in a bottle and spray down