Someone tell me how a brug grown from seed and never out of the house have bugs? It has mealy bugs and there is not one other plant that I can find in my home with this problem. I am just about ready to cry. With my lung problems I have to be careful what I spray so that leaves some things out. I mixed alcohol in water and sprayed it but don't know if this is going to help. ☆
Someone tell me
Bugs always seem to find a way don't they? The males have wings and are gnat like creatures. The females are the ones that dont have wings and look like a lump of cotton. So, I suppose the males can get in any crack. Also females could come in on other plants, (if you brought in any others) and also on people and pets. People/pets could rub against a plant outside, eggs or crawling nymphs can stick to the clothing or fur then transport to the plant once indoors.
The females will lay lots of eggs so best to get it under control. Dabbing alcohol on mealy bugs does help. You don't have to spray it- just dab on with a cotton ball. You will have to watch the plant for awhile and repeat the alcohol or oil/soap spray to get all the newly hatched babies (if there are any).
There is also a Safer soap product that works as well. I use Neem or mix up oil, soap and water in a little sprayer or spray bottle to deal with them. They seem to like my mandevilleas! The oil smothers them. Alchohol probably dries them out. If the alchol doesn't work try mixing up a TBSP or oil and a few drops of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Put it in the shower and spray/drench the whole plant getting into the cracks and crevices very well. Hope this helps.
could even have been in the potting soil you used I have never had more trouble with aphids and mites than when trying to grow plants indoors