This time of year is difficult for me. My plants have used all the vigor they stored from growing outside during the summer, and now they are becoming difficult to maintain. The mealies are having a ball right about now. I've managed to keep them in check with a q-tip and alcohol, but it's becoming more difficult now. I can't take them outside to spray since it's far too cold yet and with all the snow on the ground, I don't see this as an option for at least another month or two. I've even tried a systemic, but since they get watered so sparingly now, it doesn't seem to work.

Those of you who battle the mealy problem during these months, what are your suggestions? I have neem oil, but the odor stinks up the entire house and my wife isn't a fan.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Recommendations?

Have you tried Insecticidal Soap? You have to douse every nook and cranny to get them all, rinse and in a half hour, come back and do it again and again. Also, mealybugs are so small, they are able to hide in the pores of pots, the grain of table tops and under the lip of pots or crannies in hangers.

Thanks Daisyl - for now I'm just using a qtip dipped in alcohol. Once the weather warms up, I'll bring them outside and drench them in neem oil, dish soap and water. That seems to get the majority of them, then once I can bring them outside for the summer the predators go to work and remove any I missed. Somehow one or two always seem to escape and after bringing them inside in the fall, it takes a while, but then the numbers increase to where I'm battling them again in February/March. I never seem to get rid of them entirely.

Insecticidal soap is my go to also. My H. Macrophylla Albomarginata has had a bit of an infestation this winter but none of the others. My plants stay in the house 99% of the time and I'm constantly hovering over the silly things. The wind here knocks my plants off my porch so only the ones who want sun go out in May or June. Good luck with your "war."

The problem with Neem and most other insecticides is insects build up resistance over generations (and that's pretty short in bug time). Insecticidal Soap and alcohol work differently so the bugs never build up resisance.

You can buy commercially formulated Insecticidal Soap or make or your own. If you choose DIY, use liquid soap, not detergent. Make sure the soap doesn't have a degreaser. Mix 4 - 5 tablespoons of soap in 1 gallon of water.

If you do use Neem, I would only use it once or twice a year at most. Preferably in the fall just before you bring your plants in for the winter. Neem is a systemic so one use will last a few months.

Magpie26 - yep, I'm locked and loaded for the little buggers. Bring it on!....