04-02-2008, 07:39 AM
[quote]Originally posted by YurtGirl
[quote]Originally posted by Damon
The Dept. of Ag. is asking people to report them when they find them.
974-4140 or 981-5194 on the Big Island
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OK, the number for B.I. changed to 981-2823. They recommend Bt to treat, but only after proper identification. Bt is rather specific in the things it will treat and, from what I've read, it is a safe alternative to nasty chemy's. The nettle's pupa is the size of a small seed and look something like the inside of a coconut husk, a bit hairy. Often found on the undersides of the fronds. It takes about a week for bt to work, as it works when the caterpillar eats the leaf... Not such a good solution in the rainy season then... Outdoor lighting at night with soapy water under the light can drown many of the egg-laying adults.
Good link: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/IP-22.pdf
The lady I spoke with also said that after a sting the best thing they've found to treat it is Dawn dish detergent, not another kind, just Dawn (hmm...). But I still am not sure why the brownish granules on the underside of the fronds... Perhaps it's another issue all together...
[quote]Originally posted by Damon
The Dept. of Ag. is asking people to report them when they find them.
974-4140 or 981-5194 on the Big Island
__________________________________________________________________
OK, the number for B.I. changed to 981-2823. They recommend Bt to treat, but only after proper identification. Bt is rather specific in the things it will treat and, from what I've read, it is a safe alternative to nasty chemy's. The nettle's pupa is the size of a small seed and look something like the inside of a coconut husk, a bit hairy. Often found on the undersides of the fronds. It takes about a week for bt to work, as it works when the caterpillar eats the leaf... Not such a good solution in the rainy season then... Outdoor lighting at night with soapy water under the light can drown many of the egg-laying adults.
Good link: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/IP-22.pdf
The lady I spoke with also said that after a sting the best thing they've found to treat it is Dawn dish detergent, not another kind, just Dawn (hmm...). But I still am not sure why the brownish granules on the underside of the fronds... Perhaps it's another issue all together...
Melissa Fletcher
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"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973
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"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973