Why Mealy Bugs?
Tiny mealy bugs can hide almost anywhere on a plant to avoid detection. They may hide beneath floral bracts or beneath leaf sheaths only to emerge once large enough to begin reproducing. Lengthy quarantine may be needed as it can take a long time before the mealy bugs reveal themselves. To Avoid Mealy Bug Problems: Examine plants very carefully before purchase. If others nearby are infested, do not take a chance that yours is OK. Quarantine plants for at least 3 months. Be vigilant. Examine plants and flowers regularly for telltale white fluff which means a mealy bug walked that way. If you find the pest, remove all dry bracts which may be concealing pests. If mealy bugs are found, consider that the potting medium is also infested. Remove the plant from the medium. Kill the pests in the medium by pouring boiling water over it: wash the pot with hot soapy water. Cool the medium and repot the plant. Isolate the plant for three months. Suggested treatment for mites, scale and mealy bugs:
