mealy bugs in roots

[nuriko1set]

Hello Orchid Enthusiasts!
I have a phal. that arrived with mealy bugs. I sprayed multiple times with BioAdvanced Insect Control mix, over the leaves, buds, stem and top of the mix. Yes unfortunately it came with flowers, and the sprayed killed the flowers, but ridding the mealy bugs are priority right now. I have not seen signs of them for a few weeks, but I am paranoid about it and have kept it in quarantine, separate from my main growing area.

I have read that mealy bugs tend to hide in the potting mix. I have been waiting to repot it but am not sure how to take care of the potential mealy bug issue in the pot.

I have read many of you saying that we need to apply sprays to it multiple times to make sure we kill adults, and eggs that hatches. Here are my questions:

1. Can we spray roots with insecticide or Neem oil mixture? Are either of these safe for roots, or both or neither? Most instructions say spray leaves, stems, but not too much mention roots.

2. I can apply it the first time when I am repotting it, but how do I spray the roots again after its already repotted, since we are supposed to apply multiple times to really get rid of them.

I think I read that we should not soak the pot in neem oil mix. But if I can't soak, then how do I apply the spray to them after repotting?

Thank you guys so much!

[aliceinwl]

I haven’t had issues with mealy bugs hiding out in roots when I’ve repotted. If it’s a concern, I think soaking in water with a bit of dish soap to cut the surface tension for a few hours would work.

[Ray]

When you treat a plant with an insecticide, wet every surface of the plant and completely drench the potting medium, as well. Then repeat that two more times at one-week intervals.