Imidicloprid

Imidacloprid as a systemic works well. I use the granular form for this purpose. Using liquid, I add some Ivory soap to the mix to make the water "wetter". The problem with sprays, is that they don't "wet" the insect's furry exterior protection and don't kill them or the young they harbor under the cottony material. Also, if your infestation is limited, spray of 50% rubbing alcohol works well.

O man.
I third Imidacloprid.

I have a collection of well over 100 succulents, mostly small pots, but some on the larger side.

One or 2 purchases off of ebay & before I knew it, I had an infestation that crept up to 80% of my plants in the course of about 3 wks.

Despite quarantine, and treating with alcohol daily, as the days went on, I ended up with more plants in sick bay than my unaffected area.

Someone suggested a systemic that contained Imidacloprid, specifically, Bayer Advanced 3 in 1. The ingredient that kills mealies is the same that is in the topical once a month flea treatment used for dogs and cats sold under the name 'Advantage'.

It's not something I would use in my garden outside, but I will use it from now on when bringing my house plants in for the winter.

Awesome stuff.

Since I treated sometime around November, I haven't seen a single mealybug.

I'd like to treat again, but I used the spray and need to wait for a warm day. When I first treated, I got lucky and we had an unseasonably warm day, so I brought everyone outside, & sprayed as directed.

After a couple of hours, the plants dried and I brought them inside (also as directed by label).

Done.
=)

The product mentioned above comes two ways; as a pre-mixed ready to use spray and a concentrated (pictured). The concentrate is what I use and mix in a repurposed 32oz spray bottle. I find this is much cheaper in the long run. Both should be available at most BBS, like Home Depot or Lowes. The 32oz concentrate runs about $16.00+/-, while the 32oz ready to use is about $18.00 and is designed to be used with a garden hose connection.

BikerDoc....I have seen this Bayers spray many times at Lowes...I used it once in my yard on my Brugmansias, and it killed everyone of them. I used it for spider mites. Every Brugmansia died. I sprayed in the EARLY spring, when it wasn't hot here in south Fla. So..if I were to buy this...what is the dilution to use it as a spray.....and as a soil drench? Do you or someone else know? This is the answer I am looking for. An affordable insecticide that I can get, and isn't some rare expensive dry powder, like AVID.
I have minimal mealybugs, but now that I know they are around, I need a spray on hand to kill FAST! Especially aa a soil drench, when I cant see if I have SOIL mealys or not.

BikerDoc....I have seen this Bayers spray many times at Lowes...I used it once in my yard on my Brugmansias, and it killed everyone of them. I used it for spider mites. Every Brugmansia died. I sprayed in the EARLY spring, when it wasn't hot here in south Fla. So..if I were to buy this...what is the dilution to use it as a spray.....and as a soil drench? Do you or someone else know? This is the answer I am looking for. An affordable insecticide that I can get, and isn't some rare expensive dry powder, like AVID.
I have minimal mealybugs, but now that I know they are around, I need a spray on hand to kill FAST! Especially aa a soil drench, when I cant see if I have SOIL mealys or not.

sorry for the double post....didn't know it went through.

I spray and/or use granules on ALL my C&S. I usually save the granules for use in the fall when I bring plants into the greenhouse. The dilution on the label is 5.5 T/gal. This is about 4t/quart spray bottle (5.5/4=1.1T). Whether using as a spry or drench the dilution is the same. If you continue to have problems, you may have soil mealy also and a drench would be the way to go. Add a teasp of liquid Ivory soap to the spray/drench to make the solution more wettable. Also, as you stated, I spray on cloudy days.

Helped me out of my mess a few years ago. Use it ever since and one bottle goes a long way. Two weeks before I bring them in.
Stush

I use that for practically everything,and i use the granuals.For the roses the brugs,succulents,and everything in between.It's never killed anything here.
kathi

I haven't seen this Bayers stuff in granules anywhere....where are you buying them?