Is this a Mealybug and if so, how do I kill the little ***?

[nikkik]

I grow indoors in the winter too. I have two small children, two dogs and two cats, so I'm not comfortable spraying any plant indoors because a systematic makes that plant toxic for a period of time. And I have to many living beings that sometimes taste test my plants.

I have been very lucky that I have only had a few plants come with "travelers". On most of those I have used diatomaceous earth (food grade) and it has solved the issues. I have gotten rid of thrips and mealy bugs this way. It's completely nontoxic to us and pets, but apparently it causes bugs with exoskeletons to parish because it scratches them and causes dehydration. If it is wet it becomes much less effective, but I give my plants a good soaking and then a dry rest for a week while their coated in the powder and repeat.

Here's what I did: 1) soak the plant out of it's media for at least an hour (give a good spray of water to flush out any other pest; 2) repot; 3) sprinkle the diatomaceous earth on all the crevices of the plant and around pots with pests as a line of defense; and 4) as you water your plants you may need to repeat step three until the problem is resolved.

This may be slightly more tedious then chemicals, but I always try more of a green solution than pulling out the big guns and it has worked for me. I wish you much luck and I am sorry you received plants with pests, it is SOOO frustrating!