Phalaenopsis Orchid with a Mealybug infestation

[SMcNece]

I would call myself an experienced novice orchid owner .. but I am really unprepared for what's going on with my plant. My husband bought me an orchid from a nursery about 3 weeks ago, and it's developed a mealybug infestation (determined thru careful research on the internet and this site) I carefully swabbed all of the plant that I could see with isopropyl alcohol and I read that I need to re-pot the plant, what steps do I need to take in the repotting process that will prevent further infestation. Also I have another orchid that sits quite close to the new one that doesn't show signs of infestation (I've been monitoring it very carefully) should I re-pot that one as well? The local nursery that he bought the plant from doesn't carry any items other than orchid bark for the care of the plants, I've ordered all new items to replace everything with the plant currently, including stakes and clips and plan on washing the decorative pot with a bleach mixture and allowing it to dry before using it again.

Any information would be helpful! Thanks!

[estación seca]

Welcome here!

You probably won't get rid of a mealybug infestation in a Phal with alcohol swabbing. The plants nearby probably have it by now, too.

Many people treat their plants with a pesticide when they find mealybugs or scale insects.

I prefer to unpot the plant, remove the medium, and submerge the entire plant in a solution of water with a few drops of dish soap - not dishwasher soap. I soak the plant for 12 hours, then pot into fresh medium.

[bil]

Personally I would hit the plant and all its neighbours with imacloporid, and repeat in two weeks. That ought to do it.

[Ray]

Mealies can populate the root system, as well as the leaves, which is probably why your alcohol treatments have failed.

I'm with Bil, who suggested a good, systemic insecticide, although my preference is acephate over imidicloprid, although that's good, too.