You asked "How long before I can even introduce new plants to that area? "

6 or more weeks, or after you know the remaining plants are clean.

No need to sap the entire room, nor the plastic ones. Mealies require live plants.

Oops. I said "No need to sap the entire room,..."

I meant "No need to zap the entire room,..."

jean001,

I really appreciate that you responed to help

Thankyou very much..

So far so good..keeping my fingers crossed..No signs of any mealies on the only plants alive there!

I mix 10% alchohol with water in a spray bottle and when I spray my citrus plants. They get a small light dose just-in-case.

Just noticed some on one of my small fig trees and I clipped a few leaves off and sprayed a nice and medium dose ( 30% alchohol ) and will repeat in a couple of days.

I sent them on thier way with a good dab with a Q-tip dipped in alchohol directly onto the bug. Burns them dead on the spot.

That will teach them a lesson!

The bug travels from plant to plant mostly if you have two or more plants cross branching/touching each other.

You might also purchase Safer garden safe insect soap. This stuff works well for me.

I'm no expert but these methods seem to work well for me.

Rafed
Sterling Heights, Mi.