I can't use tap water because of water softener. I have RO under the sink, but it only holds 3 gallons which takes about an hour to refill. I can't wash my plants at all during winter. Painters finally finished Friday and I spent the weekend moving them out of the dark, dry basement. Some are really infested, all have scale except the Phals (go figure?). I did major alcohol washing, scraping. After cleaning the worse ones, I sprinkled Bayer Shrub and tree systemic. The label states it can be used for container plants, water outside and bring inside after they drain. It was 29 degrees outside. I sprinkled, stuck them outside the door, poured water and grabbed them back inside. Heaven knows if it will work or poison the entire family. It was either that or to the trash with them. Howards Dream (a huge plant) and my unknown nobile both froze solid. They are mush now, but strangely the roots look like they might be alive. Howard's Dream had bulbs 10" wide. I was planning to sell it. So much for that, I trashed it. The nobile I will hold for a while to see if anything pops up. I doubt it but I have sentimental feelings for this plant and I would like to see if anything grows. It was a large keiki taken from a huge plant which grew along the roof of a greenhouse. The owner was a sweet gentleman who passed away this year. I have it 3 years and it made such growth this summer, I knew I'd have flowers. All the canes are mush. I'd be tempted to try the Raid in the bag treatment, but my feeling is they would all have to be done and there are just too many plants. I'll try the cinnamon treatment. Jane

Irina, I responded to your last post, accidently hit a button, and lost the entire page. Sheesh. I keep saying vinegar when I mean Rubbing Alcohol. Vinegar was stated numerous times. AGE!!! I've sprayed and swiped with alcohol. Rubbing Alcohol. 91%. Last night, we went to Walgreen's...remember RA was about .79 a bottle? The least expensive, Walgreen's brand is now 2.99.. Anyway, I did NOT use vinegar for mealy..lol. I'll have to check HD for Bayer's Tree & Lawn. 'no nearby Lowes.' What's the difference between concentrate and ??? Irina, we don't use chemicals, so when it comes to none-organic products, I'm clueless. What exactly is Bayer's Tree & Lawn used for? What does it do? Before purchasing, I'll have to read all ingredients. With birds, dogs and an iguana, we must be extra careful. A loud noise startles birds, next thing they're off and flying, sometimes landing on plants..Our little dog, Coco, finds everything interesting, and iguanas LOVE plants. Especially munching leaves. How do you determine dossage using Bayer's on indoor plants? Also, this spring I'm repotting or refreshing soils/mediums in all plants. I started this project about a month ago. If I decide to use Bayer's, it's best I wait until plants are potted in their new homes. Irina, I have Peat Pellets/Pots, and a little seedling green house with dome and vents..Includes heating pad. Four of the violet leaves rooted. They're small, too tiny to set in pots. Do you think my violets had soil or foliar Mealy? When violets were unpotted, I didn't see pests. However, violets that once had a healthy root were gone, like something devoured them. Mealy was on foliage. It was this forum I learned of soil mealy. Before reading threads here on African Violet Forum, I didn't know soil mealy existed. Irina, I soak plants in winter out of love. lol. It's a lot of work, but afterwards, tropicals look like they just came from Fl. Succulents are only soaked once during winter. It's relaxing, and IMO, plants enjoy it. It might not be something that needs to be done, but I feel better after their bath and shower. Thanks for the prayers..We can all use them. You'll be in mine, too.. Thanks again for all your help, Irina. I swear, you're a Saintpaulia encyclopedia..lol. hugs, Toni

For a long time I thought Diatomatious Earth would not work when the soil was wet. But then if you know what this is you can understand why it will work, wet or dry. Diatomatious Earth is ground up diatoms, microscopic sea creatures that are dead. It's their skeletons that cut the stomachs of critters like soil mealy bug. But I do not trust DE to get rid of this voracious bebite. If a collection is inhabited by SMB, I would treat by chemicals because there is no biological cure and no natural cure. Natural cure would be like picking them off and squashing them. Biological cure is using good insects to eat our enemies. There is no natural cure and no biological cure. So if you have SMB, throw the plants away or use chemicals. If you keep them and use Safer's Soap or Neem oil or other products you will just allow them to multiply and share your bugs with those who buy or trade with you. In the case of SMB the only way you can get rid of them is Chemical--unfortunately. DE will help. But if you have an infestation I do not trust DE to get rid of them entirely. I believe DE would kill them in some stage if an outbreak just happened. But for a collection badly infested, your best bet is to throw them out or use chemicals. Imidacloprid, either granules or liquid form is recommended. Use precautions with any chemicals you use. Verify the price of the chemicals you would have to buy then check the prices of plants on ebay. You might even enjoy starting all over. Nancy

Hi Watergal, Yes, citrusy is good, so are the piney and rosey ones, probably any of the strongly scented ones. The only one that i'm unsure of, was strawberry, which is very mildly scented. Some greenhouses that sell herbs, often have a few scenteds. Who knows, you might get into them. Put the scented G. pot, next to the clivia, and take a couple of the scented leaves, and put them between the straps, and wherever the mealies are worst. You can tear some up if you like. As long as the scent is on the leaves, they work, even after they dry out. When the scenteds need more sun, leave an extra leaf, and rotate the s. pot out [that only happened in the winter]. I hope you try this. It can't hurt. This is so light, that you can use all the other treatment ideas on this thread, too, at 3 or 4 week intervals. In fact, it seems to activate or strengthen them. But, Go real easy on the concentrations. I tortured my guys that I lost, with 50/50 mixtures, of vinegar and water, and even stronger alcohol, and water. A 10% mix of white vinegar and water, IS effective, and a good combo with the scenteds. Neem Oil is really good too, and mixes up well with liquid fertilizer, in a bucket. If you have a good leafy shade spot outside, where you can keep an eye on it. you could try that. Actually, we set one on it's side [it seems to promote growth and branching, I don't know why], to keep most of the rain out, between a shrub and the house. The eaves, protected it from most rain, but it could enjoy the dew. It loved it. Love the idea of the Murphy's Oil Soap. It has a hint of citrus scent too, and the alcohol was harder on the clivia. You might start with a spoonful, in say, a pint of water, and see how it's tolerated. Dont go over ~10% on the alcohol. Pepperomia, what were your proportions? These proportions are just a guess. I sprayed a year ago, and used a mixture that was way too strong. Toni, as usual, you have such great advice, I've been a quiet admirer of yours, for years. It's so great to be able to share with, and get input from, other planty folks. Watergal, good luck, and keep us posted. This is that worrying interval, We're all hoping for the best, florey