Mealybugs on my Sedirea

[orchid lady]

I just found out that my Sedirea was infested with this evil creatures. I removed the moss on the plant and sprayed all the crevices around it with Neem mix with water aiming directly on them while whispering "dieee mealybugs....dieee a painful death". I know where they came from, we have a persimmon tree in the backyard were every fruit is covered. How they got inside my house, I don't know....could thru me since I picked some of fruits on few occassions.

I believed it's the long tailed mealybugs. And yes, those are burnt roots...I think from too much fert. I stopped fertilizing them anymore until it recovers or next year in spring.

Please let me know if I need to do something else. I read about malathion but cannot get it until tomorrow and will it shock the plant if I spray with malathion?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Yes, you did right to spray. Luckily, it is not as bad as I thought it would be from your description. Just be sure to remove any signs of those bugs and re-spray in a few days. Best of luck!!

Cheers,
BD

[Gin]

Ditto to the above from BD. I like the systemic in the blue bottle says it protects for 30 days (jury is out on that ) I have used it once a week for 3 weeks the box stores have it . Malathion is ok but is not a systemic .Miss one and they are back .. Take no hostages .... Gin

[Becky15349]

Yeah!! Fight em!!! U can kill these guys, you just have to be really systematic about it, and determined, and don't forget to spray...not that I think you will, LOL. Maybe they came in on your tools? I would fight mealies definitely, its scale that I don't even bother with.

[jtlqh]

You can use toothbrush to brush off the area that is hard to reach.

[Alplily NH]

Hi there,

Ick! I have a wee Sed. as well, and would be crying, too! Here's a small tip... as a currently dormant fine artist I have a number of fine, tiny round paintbrushes with stiff hog bristles or softer, sable-type hairs. I've found them to be excellent tools for getting into tight areas with alcohol, insecticidal soap, etc. Good luck!!!

alplily