A gift of 15 infested orchids.

Fire

I have just been give 15 small moth orchid plants. It was a sweet thought, by someone moving away from London. On close inspection I find there are masses of mealy bugs and scale insects. The root systems are some of the healthiest I've seen, in great shape. The leaves are sticky and chewed and in terrible shape. I keep a few other healthy moth orchid plants in the house and don't want to risk them picking up mealy bugs or scale; and I don't have either, that I know of, in the garden or the house.

As the plants essentially seem very healthy, I don't really want to throw them out. So they have sit in my living room. I look at them, they look at me. I understand that some meths might help the mealy bugs. Am still feeling undecided....  I like a rescue plant, me.

Joyce21

Many years ago I applied meths to a cactus which had mealy bug.  It got rid of them.

Lyn

My mum always used meths, applied with a paint brush. 

Hostafan1

meths and a cotton bud were my weapons of choice.

Fire

Ok. Against scale too or should i ditch those?

pansyface

Scale insects are waxy and the meths might not work. 
A toothpick scraped over them reaches into the tiniest cracks.

Fire

Thanks all.

B3

On the 15th day of Christmas, my true love sent to me......

Lyn

Meths painted on the scale as well.

Fire

... "four bawling Kurds and a load of nasty insects? You call this a sign of affection?"

Fire

I have methed and repotted the lot. Fingers crossed. Thanks for your thoughts.