I tried to post this last night, but the system was down
Wow, is this ever a crazy thread!
Catlover, please calm down. The scale insects will not attack you or your cats tonight while you are sleeping. They survive only on
plant tissue; not fur, human flesh, or even soil.
Scale is often found on ivy and on peace lilies, but rarely on corn
plants. If you have removed and discarded the ivy, then you have probably eliminated te problem, other than the leftover stickiness. However, you should check the undersides of your peace
lily leaves.
Dabbing with alcohol loaded q-tips is an exercise in futility because it only treats the ones you can see. The juveniles are too tiny to see, especially when they are hiding.
Malathion is overkill and is much more likely to harm you and your cats than scale.
A thorough spraying with a cocktail of rubbing alcohol, water and liquid soap is most effective. (You can drink the leftover when you are done - J/K!)
Scale insects move very imperceptibly. If they crossed the room it was because they hitched a ride on something (one) else. But that is unlikely, as is their coming in through the window.
They were probably on the ivies when you purchased them, but in such limited numbers that you (or I) would not notice them. As conditions favorable to their development occurred, then their population began to reproduce as they had all-night sex orgies. The honeydew they manufactured was what finally attracted your attention.
Anyway, you seem to have busted them, so you should be able to sleep tonight with my firm assurance that none of them will sneak into your bed tonight.
Sleep well and call me in the morning if you have any questions.
Dr. Will