Question
I have a mimosa that I grew from a seed, it is 2 years old,this year it got a little cold (I live in Hernando County Florida) by the water. I brought my mimosa in and I noticed the floor had sticky sap on it then when I checked the tree it seems to be flat bugs attached to the bark  of the tree going all the way up to the branches and to where the leaves are. the leaves are still green and I started cleaning it  with alcohol and a q-tip, could you tell me what to do and if this is right? Thank you for your time, Grace


Answer
Sounds like scale insects.
Scale insects feed on plant sap sucked thorough a slender stylet that remains inserted constantly into the plant tissue. Sap loss may cause poor, stunted growth. Death of infested plants is possible in severe cases. More commonly noticed than the scales is the large quantity of a sweet sticky liquid called honeydew that is excreted by the scale insects. Honeydew can make a sticky, shiny mess on the plant and nearby furniture and floors. A black fungus called sooty mold may grow on the honeydew.

Scale insects are often difficult to control. There are several well-known remedies that can be tried in an attempt to eliminate scales from a houseplant. However, there is no easy, simple cure for a scale infestation. One possibility is to pick off individual scales or gently scrub (or rub) the scales loose from the leaves and stems. This is a laborious task that works only on small, large-leafed plants. Dabbing each scale with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab is another possibility on lightly infested plants.

There are several insecticides that will work but the alcohol should do the trick.