Yep agree on mealy bugs. Like Denise said apply 70% Rubbing Alcohol to them directly with a cotton swab if the infection is minor (a few single ones here and there) or spray it undiluted with a spray bottle if the infection is medium (try to avoid spraying the soil as much as possible). Heavy infestations may require the use of insecticides. Manually remove the cottony structures as those are nests where the eggs are stored in (varies with mealy species). The eggs are not destroyed by the alcohol so re-inspect and re-apply treatment every 3-4 days. The most common mealy species infecting house plants is the citrus mealy (slightly darker band going lengthwise on its back) and this one also sometimes infects the plant near or below soil level thus inspect your plant at and below soil level for possible infections. If the infection is below soil level then treatment with insecticides is recommended (or be ready to fight them for a long time :) Milan

i see movement .... but i cant focus on the bugs. the white stuff in the soil.. is just a fungus that is naturally breaking down your very fine soil ... ignore it ... its natural ... you ask if they are eating the roots.. i ask.. whats your concern.. look liked a healthy root mass to me ... you might want to try shaking some on a black sheet of paper .. and taking pix.. ken

Get some of the things down and take a picture! Pests are much easier to identify if we can see what they look like.

And Jean, you're right - I had tried the baking soda mixed with water (had seen it on YouTube) and today there were slight light brown areas on the leaves. I quickly rinsed with water. I hope I didn't do more damage. At least there are no more bugs! I am a tomato newbie. Hopefully I will learn quickly. Thanks again. What about the timing of treating bug issues this - is it better to do at the end of day when there is less sun?