Entomological approach to insect control.

15 years ago

I spent a year in college catching and collecting various insects for my collections. To quickly kill the bug (any) we used a container (a glass or plastic jar generally) that contained cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol. The cotton balls were mostly covered in plaster to protect the insect from coming in contact with the wet cotton ball but for this idea that is irrelevent.

My idea is probably easier for small potted plants than larger but im sure it could be adapted.

would anyone think it would be possible to use this technique in a similar way to kill insect infestation on a plant. I was thinking of putting the plant into a closed container of some sort and laying cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol inside the container or just a small candle holder with rubbing alcohol for a short time.

It should not take more than ten minutes for the insects to be affected. I am confident this would kill several types of pest but am completly unsure how something like this would affect the plant itself!

If anyone could add some insite into what they think it would be appreciated. It seems that everything i try both natural and chemical just burn leaves or is unsafe.

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Comments (5)

jean001
15 years ago
I doubt if it would work.

A kill jar is a sealed enclosure.

So what sort of insects are you trying to kill?

Sometimes they're easily squished, other times you can easily wash them off.
petzold6596
15 years ago
Try it out with a plant you are willing to sacrifice and report back. I would think that plants with a waxy cuticle would not be harmed.
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ronalawn82
15 years ago
abunari, When I suspected that an insecticide would harm a plant, I would spray the inside of a garbage container with it and upend it over the infested plant and leave it thus for 24 hours only because that interval was convenient to me. It always took care of the problem but I had access to some lethal products. Gassing with carbon dioxide also killed insects for collection purposes. Since the agent is beneficial to plants, I imagine that it would be doubly beneficial in airtight conditions.
zen_man
15 years ago
abunari,

"I am confident this would kill several types of pest but am completely unsure how something like this would affect the plant itself!"

I think there is some chance that the rubbing alcohol vapor could be harmful or fatal to the plant. But it sounds like an interesting experiment. What kind of rubbing alcohol did you use, ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol? I think ronalawn82's idea to use carbon dioxide is particularly interesting.

ZM
abunari
Original Author
15 years ago
In just the jar I used isopropyl alcohol when I wasn't able to get to the lab to get my hands on the ethyl alcohol. It seemed to work just took a few more minutes for larger insects such as grasshoppers and such.

The co2 idea sounds like it would be safer to try than alcohol especially for sensitive plants, thanks.

At the moment I have an aphid infestation that is being controlled with the average water spraying and house hold made insecticide soap sprays. I am just trying to think of another way to clear a plant of insect (of any kind) without having to spray the plant directly and causing possible leaf burn and so on. I'll set up a few experimental plants with a few different things to see what works well and let everyone know.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Entomological approach to insect control.

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jean001

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Entomological approach to insect control.

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