alcohol/surgical spi for mealy bugs

[Miamiheat]

Hello,
I read on a thread that Phals were not harmed by the use of Alcohol or methylated spirits to fight mealy bugs. I did treat a couple of plants and they look fine for now. I did make sure i flooded all the crown area and spaces between leaves where these nasty bugs would hide. Its only been 3 days so it may be early to tell. Has anyone had damaging effects on plants by using similar method?

Also today another plant had a bug on the fresh growing secondary spike: i killed the bug without using any alcohol as i wondered if the soft fresh tissue of the emerging spike could get damaged. Should i be afraid?

thanks