The alcohol dissolves the protective wax around the insects and egg masses, causing them to dehydrate, and subsequently kills them. Check for new mealybugs every few days and keep at them, as they reproduce rapidly and move to new locations. You can also use an insecticidal soap that is nontoxic to humans and pets. It can be used both as a spray and as a soil-drench if the mealybugs are in the soil. Repeat each week for several weeks according to the directions.
Horticultural oil can also be an effective nontoxic spray control for mealybugs.
Continue treating the plant until there is no sign of the insects. Be sure to clean the container and areas that the plant was growing in with warm, soapy water, because mealybugs produce a sticky substance and may still be living there. A severely infested plant may need to be discarded. Fellow gardeners who have experienced the same problems as you might have valuable advice to share. Read our Privacy Policy .