mealybugs and roots

[VickiC]

Hi,
I found evidence of mealybugs today in the leaf axis of a catt? (down inbetween the leaves....is that the axis?) Anyway, I looked closer with a magnifying glass and saw 1 large mealybug and quite a bit of white-fuzzy (not sure if there are more bugs there ??). I stabbed the one I saw with the point of a skewer, removed and dabbed him with alcohol. I also tried to get a q-tip with alcohol down inbetween the leaves, but I'm not sure if I was able to remove much or all of the fuzzy. I plan to unpot and repot with fresh medium then spray with something tomorrow, but I'm not sure what is best to use (suggestions, please??). My main concern as I've been thinking about treating the problem is the roots. I've never found mealies on my orchids before, so I'm not sure how to deal with spraying the plant. I understand that mealybugs hide all over.....under leaves, nooks and crannies, under pots, travel on benches, etc. Is it safe to spray the roots with something (alcohol and dishwashing liquid, for example?) The plant has many healthy roots and I don't want to harm them? I would apppreciate any advice as to how I should treat the problem correctly? Oh, one more thing....should I spray my plant with water, or not, after I spray a treatment on them?
Thanks,
Vicki