Thanks larry gene. yeah, some people meaning smart people. Guess I ain't one of them kind. Just sprayed the heck out of my plants. Guess I'll find out in a week or two whether I burned 'em, and in few months whether I got the critters. One piece of advice I heard that's worth repeating here for anyone who hasn't heard it: when you're spraying something that kills by smothering, it's best NOT to spray in the heat of the day. Here in Southern California, our days, even in winter, can get upwards of 80 degrees (don't they wish they had winters like that in the Midwest and the East!). So, potentially, Golden Pest Spray Oil could damage the leaves if I were to spray it mid-day. Just a heads up for anyone using this product, or a similar type oil spray. Of course, if you're plant is still dormant, you won't have to worry about burning the leaves 'cause there won't be any! Hope this helps, ThisBud4U

It's not unusual to find people operating at well beyond their limitations (your neighbor). Scheesch! Did he/she consider the implications of all the sodium chloride left behind after the bleach reaction, or the upward spike in pH the homebrewed gnaticide caused? I feel really bad for you - and wish you'd have come here for advice about the gnats, which are actually more a symptom of an underlying problem than a problem in and of themselves. Al

Rotting Palms  Phytophthora Cinnamomi  Dieback First I would stop using chemical fertilisers. I have found that they deplete the soils over the years. Use only organic fertilisers like, cow, chicken, sheep, fish and kelp. These fertilisers build up the humus in the soil. I lost two royal palms and was very worried about losing the rest of my palms. The fungal disease is called Phytophthora cinnamomi (dieback). I used Nutri-Life 4/20 microbes. www.nutri-tech.com.au. This will build up the soil microbes and I have not had a problem since. You will need a large clean bucket or garbage bin with a lid an aerator kit (and heater). See www.greenharvest.com.au they are $39.00. An aquarium aerator and heater will also do the job. See brewing photos. Brew Nutri-Life 4/20 to instructions. http://smallfootprints.com.au/blogs/eco-blog/archive/2008/11/12/organic-gardening-improving-soil-fertility-with-beneficial-bacteria-and-fungi.aspx Let me know how you go. Jo Pritchard  Karratha WA jopatch@westnet.com.au

If your palm is outdoors in the ground, I wouldn't worry. Potted palms kept indoors/on patios are more likely to be harmed by infestations of mealy-bugs or scale, or by ants getting in and building nests about the roots, or by worms getting into the potting mix and playing havoc with the drainage in the pot. I would not suspect anything crawly of being harm to the palms themselves, more likely some sort of slayter or such. But if you are concerned, and the pot is small enough to manage this, you could try drenching it by dropping it in a bigger container of water, and leaving 15 minutes until all bubbles stop rising. That may drown your creepy-crawlie or at least bring it to the surface. If it does bring anything to the surface you can perhaps pluck it off or spray with pyrethrin. The exercise will at least give the plant a good drink as well as giving your muscles a workout. Let the pot drain away though & don't let it sit in a saucer of water after. Of course, if you can CATCH one of the creepies, your local nursery or council may be able to ID it.