Question
Hi Will,

I found your recent instructions on treating an indoor Ming Aralia with a mealybug infestation. I'm afraid I'm in the same boat.

I have just sprayed both of my Aralias with the 5 part water / 1 part isopropyl alcohol / 1 squirt dish soap concoction you recommended, and they are in the shower drying.

My question is whether I should rinse the Mings after they have completely dried to remove the soap and alcohol? Will this film harm the plant?

Also, do I need to treat the soil at all for mealys? If so, what do you recommend? I read somewhere that the males are little fliers, and I want to make sure I eradicate them too, but I'm not sure where they hang out.

Thank you in advance for your generous counsel!

Very best,
Lisa

Answer
Hi Lisa,

As long as you diluted the alcohol and soap with water as I described, there is no need to rinse your Aralia afterwards. Of course, it does no harm nor does it reduce the effectiveness of the treatment if you do rinse with clear water.

Mealybugs in soil are very rare. What you read is very mixed up. Mealybugs are not gender-based and they don't fly. Your source may be confusing mealybugs with fungus gnats. In any case, there is no need for you to treat the soil.

I have written an article on treating indoor plant pests that I will email for free
to you (or anyone else) who emails a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com