How do I solve a mealybug issue?

[Paul Mc]

I saw a few about a month ago and I took my finger and wiped/crushed them off. But in the past week I have discovered at least one about every day, so I guess I will own up to the fact that I have an infestation problem, lol... After having read some on the OB, it sounds like the hoard arrived a while ago and I'm just now admitting it.

OK, so how do I remedy this issue?

I've read on here about the use of 70%-90% isoprobyl alcohol being sprayed on the leaves. Does this mean diluting it with water and then spraying? Also, can I just pour it down into the potting medium (or submerse it in the alcohol) to ensure that I've gotten the issue in the medium?

What else could I do (homemade remedy wise) to save my baby?! It is an oncidium and blooming at the moment. I've seen the little buggers only on the flowers thus far.

[Gin]

I have used alcohol on blooms with out a problem not diluted. I would not advise submerging the pot in it or drenching with itI have not used it that way would hate to tell you wrong .
To get rid of them I would resort to Bayer Soil and Turf 2 Tbs. per gallon of water drenching the potting mix it is a systemic taken in by the plant . Or a spray bottle of the Bayer pre mixed . Trouble is with spraying non systemics if you miss one egg or bug they are back ..

[Connie Star]

I'm having a problem with them, too. DH and I have been picking them off with tweezers and wiping the leaves down with alcohol wipes- isopropyl alcohol of the type used to clean your skin before shots. We wiped them with botany wipes, containing Neem oil and also sprayed with neem oil. Also "isolated" the ones that were infested. It's been about 3 weeks since we've seen any.
Fingers are crossed.

[florafan]

I, too, used the alcohol pads when my clivia got a mealy bug infestation last spring. It was so bad that the space between the leaves were a cottony mess. The pads were thin enough so that I can slip them between the leaves. I did that vigilantly over a few weeks and they were gone. I inspect all my plants (orchids and others) to make sure no buggies are on them.

[dounoharm]

i agree with gin, a systemic is the best way of knocking them out....dont mess around with them, just knock em out.....