How should mesculun mixed lettuce be checked for bugs?
• ANSWER: Mesculun Mix DESCRIPTION: Mesculun Mix is a combination of various specialty lettuces with smooth surface textures such as frisee, baby oak, red oak and baby romaine, and others. Mesculun salads are often served in upscale restaurants and at catered affairs. INFESTATION: The above-mentioned lettuces are generally infested with thrips. Infestation levels in these lettuces may vary seasonally. INSPECTION: 1. Soak leaves in a solution of cold water and vegetable wash. The proper amount of vegetable wash has been added when some bubbles are observed in the water. (In the absence of vegetable wash, several drops of concentrated non-scented liquid detergent may be used. However, for health reasons, care must be taken to thoroughly rinse off the soapy solution.) 2. Gently agitate lettuces in the soapy water to remove all foreign matter from the leaf surface. 3. With a heavy stream of water or power hose, thoroughly rinse both sides of each leaf. 4. Several handfuls of leaves should
