Question
I have orchids with a bad mealy problem..I have been using soap & alcohol spray. I was wondering can the mealybug live/survive outside? or spread to my out side garden?
Thanks, Helene

Answer
Helene,

Yes, it can survive outside during the summer and in the winter it finds it's way deep into trees and spends the winter. You have to be very consistant with the soap & alcohol spray and use it at least twice a week for 6-8 weeks to get any eggs that hatch. They can spread to other plants outdoors but they tend to have natural enemies outside including some birds and other insects.

When insects attack plants there is usually an underlying problem such as not enough light, too much or too little water or too little fertilizer. Plants that are very healthy usually fight off insects on their own with their own pheronomes. Keep up with the alcohol spray but try to also improve the orchid's growing conditions and you will be more successful. Good luck.

Darlene