Training Log Archive: iansmith

It appears that Nikola Tesla the cactus has a pretty bad case of mealy bugs. As attackpoint is conveniently integrated into my life already, I will use it to document treatment efforts. The infestation is extensive (and observation gives me the hibbly-jibblies). I intend to ultimately use a combination of topical alcohol, capsaicin, and the insecticide verticel to treat Nikola.

Day 1 Treatment: I removed around fifty mealy bugs and much accumulated cottonlike secretion covering the top part of the cactus using tweezers. I left an application of 70% ethanol spray on for two hours, then rinsed it off with water. I mean to leave the cactus alone tomorrow to let it recover, then apply more alcohol. I have some concerns about killing the cactus, but there already is discoloring and deterioration on the outside of the cactus.

C • Careful - straight alcohol ... 14

Late night run home. I felt sluggish - even at my lumbering pace, I had to ramp up to 3-3 breathing. I may not be well rested; I have not been sleeping well of late. I pondered novel ways of destroying mealy bugs, including a collimated microwave gun that I could move along the outer edge of Nikola - hopefully frying the little bugs without cooking the cactus.