Bayer makes a couple of systemic products that you can use on mealies. The product lasts months. Since it is systemic it will take care of insect on the leaves too. Ah, yes, you use this as a drench. My lobbii is out there waiting for me to help it. Currently it seems to be the only plant with mealies but I will give its neighbors the treatment too.

You don't need to repot to get rid of them. As Laura said, just use a systemic to treat them. And don't "soak" them - just wait for them to be dry, water thoroughly with the systemic, then wait for it to dry out again. Be very careful with it. I only use it under the most dire circumstances because it is literally POISON and since I stick my finger in my soil, and I have cats, I try all other methods first. One problem is where do you drain the excess water? If you put it down your drain, it eventually ends up back in the water supply. Same goes for if you drain it in your back yard. AND it will kill beneficial bugs it comes in contact with. I hate using it, but I know sometimes, you have no choice. So when I use it, I try not to drench to the point of having a lot of "run-off".

Denise in Omaha

Excess is tossed in the yard. I dont think hoyas have many beneficial insects except for moths which pollinate them. If they were pollinated by honey beed i would be up a creek because i dont want to contribute to their demise.

I know i dont have to repot, but how long does it take for a hoya to regenerate new roots from damaged ones?

Im putting this out here first.....so I'm not accused of being biased. Bayer SOLD their home care division (Bayer Advanced products). A systematic of any brand will be good just don't let the plant dry out too much (or water before using the systematic) or else the systemic may run straight through the soil before being totally be absorbed.

My occasional problem is with thrips. They are worse than mites (for me) because there isn't a product that works well enough to kill them throughout their life cycle. Imidacloprid works okay but not great on thrips. You (anybody) needs to rotate their products so insects don't develop a tolerance to them. I just used a product with the active ingredient of fipronil (which is used on flea and tick products for pets) that happens to work great on thrips.

i don't think I ever had root mealies but do have the occasional new growth nubs which I blamed on thrips.

I do mostly use those sticky cards (yellow/blue) and have caught flying bugs (not sure what they were though-lol)

I have a bottle of this handy all the time. It does say not for indoor use and it does have a fishy odor.

Does that product work any good?

Works good on my hibiscus but I'll spray other plants as a preventative.

My Hibiscus leaves have holes in them. I might try that product next year. Also, can you post and updated pic of your Merrillii? I love that thing!

I'll take a pic tomorrow morning.

Wow that thing is HUGE! Mine is growing but doesnt look anything like that.

I only have 1 yr with it....I like how shiny the leaves are on this Hoya. Its rather elegant :)

I think i have about a year and a half with mine. You must have received a fuller plant than me. I also love the shiny leaves.

Lydia - wow! Your Merrillii is stunning!

Tony - I was finding some holes on my citrus trees. I was told to look for caterpillars or slugs. I never found anything. Then I found out slugs come out at night and leave by morning sun. Sure enough I went out one night with a flashlight and saw some on the ground near the trees. I moved the trees to a drier section of the driveway and haven't had an issue since. Just a thought.

That's what I think is snacking on my varie obovata.

Oh, thank you, Monica!

ARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHH! I just found some on my wibergiae! I was wondering why half of it looked so plump and pretty and two vines of it just sat there doing nothing and looked parched even after watering. I have neem on hand... has anyone had success with it for mealies? I've never had these before. BOOOO! :( And should I dispose of the two yucky vines? Or treat and hope for the best?

Treat it! Don't toss it.

I grow my plants outside so all my plants get treated regardless.