Question
Hi Mike. I'm a novice gardener and have very recently started a little den garden. I'm proud to say all the plants are currently growing well. However, two days ago I had added a dozen or so heliconias to my collection which I have just discovered is heavily infected with root mealies. In a moment of madness I had  stupidly tried to wash the cottony white stuff off the heliconia roots right on my patio floor without realizing how contagious they can be. The "infected" water would  have flowed all over the floor around my other potted plants and into my garden bed as well! Now I'm staying up nights worrying whether I've inadvertently unleashed these nasty bugs on my otherwise healthy and thriving plants. Please advise on whether there is anything I can do to salvage my mistake now, as I'm hoping there are some measures I can take to prevent the attack before it happens. Thanks in advance.

Answer
Vanessa, I would start with insecticidal soap. You can purchase this commercially at most garden centers, or make your own by adding three tsp. of non-concentrated lemon dish soap per gallon of water. This product will destroy the insects' digestive systems within a few days. Apply once every three days for as long as necessary.  If insecticidal soap does not work after 5-7 applications, I would resort to a more potent organic product such as pyrethrum or rotenone. As with the soap, they are contact sprays, so you have to spray them directly on the insects. These two products are extremely effective, but even they may take several applications before working. Both can be found on the web at Gardens Alive or Planet Natural.    

Finally, if all else fails, you can give your plants a bath. Simply cover the soil with fine mesh to hold it in, and then take the plant and submerge the pot into tepid water for several minutes. This will kill the insects and really does not harm the plant. Just be sure to allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again.    

I hope this helps. Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.    

Regards,    

Mike