Ok, please do not try this without checking it out first. Here is my story. I had this problem more then once. The first time I got these crawly threadlike things in my soil (ie. Last summer), I ended up throwing out my Thanksgiving Cactus. So last November, I purchased a few more Thanksgiving Cactus from the supermarket. I noticed those pesky tiny fruit flies/knats flying around my plants. ( they usually lay their eggs in the soil ) Well that was it! I mixed a combo of rubbing alcohol and water and sprayed the surface of the dirt on my newly purchased plants really well. I have knat/fruit fly traps all over...ie.. Near each plant. For the first time since the Fall, I recently saw the first little bugger and put out my traps. I may do my alcohol/ water spray again. But this is risky. It did not kill my plants, but it can kill them if you overdo this. Proceed at your own risk. Best to try to control this problem. I do not think you can completely avoid it if you have live plants in the home. They LOVE organic soil and there may be unhatched eggs in the organic soil you buy at the garden center to transplant your thanksgiving cactus into a new pot in the Spring. So far I have NOT transplanted anything. Nor have I fertilized anything. These tiny fruit flies/knats come in through screens or with your groceries/fruit that you buy at your local supermarket. They can even come up out of the drain in your sink! I have added photos of these traps. They work well so far for me. You can purchase them at Home Depot or True Value Hardware.

I companion plant beans with potatos. The potatos keep away the mexican bean beetle and the beans keep away the potato beetle. One of my more successful companion plantings. Flea beetles are tougher. Have you tried diatomaecous earth? Google it. It is a powder that is actually sharp microscopic exoskeletons of an ancient creature. Works well against many insects. try to use it only where you need it because it will also kill beneficials. I had something in my cowpeas a week ago and the Diatomaecious earth seems to have made them go away. the good news is that I bought mine at Lowes so you don't have to wait for an internet order. This year I am trying radishes for a companion plant to combat squash bugs, cucumber beetles and flea beetles. I read that if left to go to seed they will deter such critters. I'll let you know how it works. If anyone knows of a good companion to deter flea beetles I would love to hear about it.

Gardengle48, Awesome, that is just what I want, to kill these soft bodied mealybugs without killing everything else. (well, except the ants, I want them to go away too). Just yesterday I purchased insecticidal soap from the nursery as well as diatomaceous earth. I was continuing my research on the diatomaceous earth but you are the very first to actually mention it. Thank you! Two nights ago I read a post called "get rid of ants for good", The recommendation was in short to make a mix of three-quarter teaspoon Borax with 10 tablespoons of maple syrup. The idea is that you want the ants to live long enough to bring the goodies back to the nest. This morning in one of my variously placed ant traps I am finally seeing the trail to point out where the ants are coming from. I followed the trails and actually found some holes that must be where the Queens live. I say Queens in plural because there are multiple colonies in my yard and neighborhood. I understand it is the ants that are spreading the mealybugs. I am probably calling all ants for all of my neighbors right now. They are lucky to have me :) This may seem a digression for some but I have been told ants are eating the mealybug honey dew, that spreads the mealybugs. Love this thread and am very grateful as I was unable to get help from the succulent group.

Next time add a small teaspoon of Hartz flea and tick shampoo to a gallon of water and pour it on... I even use it on my peppers and other fruits and spices with no ill effects whatsoever.. Don't waste a watering so add your favorite nutrient like superthrive if you want.. This is one of the reason i add pea rocks to the top of my soil.. Bye bye knats, bye bye scale,bye bye most bugs.. *note* This is not a systemic treatment only a direct shot kill method.