Help! Mealy Bug

[cabbo]

I came home and found 2 mealy bugs on a phal flower. I cut off the flower and I dont see any other signs. What do I do now?

[cabbo]

Somebody please. I'm freaking out thinking that all my orchids will get infested!

[CoolPhrog]

Don't freak out...move the plant away from your other ones. Mix 50% Formula 409 and 50% rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and mist your plant lightly. Let it sit for a few minutes and then wth a q-tip, clean the mealies and then mist the plant with water to rinse off the 409 and alcohol. I try not to let the solution run down into the medium because the alcohol is a drying agent and can dry up your roots. Check the plant daily to make sure the mealies are all gone and in a week or so, put your plant back where it usually lives.

Keep us posted on your progress!

[cabbo]

Thank you so much Dana. I was going to soak the whole thing so I'm glad I waited to hear from someone. I had read that the media could be infested, is that only in extreme cases?