Isopropyl alcohol, 90% solution, is my suggested spray.

Thanks Jeff. I've been using alcohol and dabbing individuals and any clusters. Do you just spray the whole plant with the alcohol?

often you need to control ants as well around the base of the plant as they often the ones bringing the new recruits after you kill them off with toxins and alcohol. I find just repeatedly killing them off weekly eventually makes the ants too frustrated to keep it up and they take their mealy bugs elsewhere.

I use alcohol too...... in a spray bottle. it will kill aphids too. for root mealybug I water plants with soapy water when I see the rootball with that 'white/cottony' haze on it. ( do a search for amounts used as many vary in opinion )

I spray mine with soapy water and pour some on the soil too to get rid of the ones in the soil. If it is a persistant problem, I use a soil drench. Haven't had to do it for so long I forget what I use! Would have to venture out in the rain to get to the shed to find the stuff...which isn't likely to happen!

man...... I really hate using poison.... I may have to at least treat the soil .....ugh.

I seem to be having luck with 70% isopropyl alcohol on my first round of mealy bugs *knocks on wood* I've been spraying directly on to the places where I see mealy bugs on the plants. I'm on day 4 and of the 4 pots that were infected I think a couple of them aren't showing mealys any more and the ones that still are only have very small spots. Now this is my first time dealing with mealy bugs so whose to say this will work so well for me every time.

Mealies are a relatively uncommon issue for me -- spider mites are my main nemesis. However, I too have used 90% Isopropyl -- sprayed directly on the plant and pest, thoroughly wetting them -- to good effect. {{gwi:738021}}

If you have MB on top-- you have em on the root ball...... treat it too !

I've never had a problem with mealy bugs before, but this winter they've taken over nearly my entire collection. Some of my larger jades have dropped a ton of leaves and branches...I've been treating with alcohol and removing foliage and it seems like I've finally got it under control. I haven't done anything to treat the soil yet, but I think I should. I'd like to try soaking with some soapy water. Does it matter what kind of soap? Dish soap, hand soap? what is it in the soap specifically that's effective against the pests? Roughly how much should I use per gallon? Thanks for any advice.
Jeef.

It isn't the soap per say. The soap acts as a surfactant and decreases the surface tension and the bugs drown. The type of soap does make a difference if it has lots of "chemicals". Ivory soap is best, but others work... just not with lots of perfumes.

I use 1 teaspoon per 8oz. water if the root ball looks bad ( type of soap doesnt really matter I have even used Murphy's...shampoo..dish soap. Supposedly , the 'surfactant' disrupts the coating on bugs in general...... been doing it so long , I forget the details of it.
I have to use a couple 5 gal. buckets to water all my indoor plants . Many times I add a healthy squirt of soap several weeks in a row.....

Thanks for the helpful advice!

Do not use dish soaps however, and the roots do not like soap, isolate your infested plants immediately. Spray every three days. Saffer's Soap is an idel product, There is a natual oil, Neem oil, it is a natural product. What is good for succulents is not good for cactus. Go to a certified nursery where there is a certified botantist and ask. Dont use any product that is Antibacterial. Murpy Oil soap is a pure oil a(pure vegetable just don't over do it. I don't like it in the soil. Tale the plant out of bad soil, wash off with clorox and rinse, start with fresh soil. Clean new fresh soil is important for healthy plants. You don't wash off with soaps that have harmful added poison, soiled beds, don't expect your plant to do so either. I don't eat dangerous foods nor do I expect my plant to do so. You may to try Bayers Rose 2 & 1 I have not had trouble with this, I use this for my very sickest plants that I want to save, I have a hospital flat set up for plants that need treating. Isolate this flat.