Root mealy bugs on waterfall orchid

[Callaslily]

I'm deadly in love with this plant and now I've spotted a nest of mealys on its root. I immediately took all of the moss off of it and ran the roots under warm water constantly. I noticed that all of the roots were dead inside and the only thriving ones were the most visible ones outside the pot. I wrapped it in a clean, semi-moist towel and sat it in a bowl for now. I soaked some sphagnum moss so it can be planted with it when it's ready, but I wanted to sort of use it as a temporary bandaid until I can find and afford to buy a good pot and some higher quality moss. I cannot afford that or pesticides at the moment. Was the actions I've taken correct? Its a complete indoor plant, so how did it get infested? And what should do here on out? I need help, I'll be so sad to lose this plant, my two orchid are the only thing keeping me going in life at the moment.

[estación seca]

Dear Callaslily, we can try to help you with your orchids, but PLEASE try to find some help dealing with the other things going on in your life. PLEASE!!!

The mealies might have come with the plant when you bought it. They are also often on other house plants, unseen. They can blow in through the window during good weather, from neighbors's plants.

If you don't want to use pesticides, dish soap will kill adult mealies, but not the eggs. You can put a teaspoon of liquid dish soap in a quart of water and spray that on the plant. I would also submerge the plant for an hour in this solution. This might kill most of the eggs.

I'm not sure what you mean by waterfall orchid. Miltoniopsis often have patterns on the lips called the waterfall. They are also known as pansy orchids. Is this the kind of orchid you have? When we know what you have we can help more.

But please try to find some help for yourself.