Mealy Bugs Are Taking Over My Hibiscus Bushes

Question

I have 4 yellow hibiscus bushes (each about 3 1/2 feet tall) planted side-by-side. The mealy bugs are having a field day with them. I've tried dish soap and water, rubbing alcohol, neem oil, and several insecticides. The problem is it is almost impossible to treat the underside of each and every leaf so the cycle just goes on and on. I have several questions. 
 1. Is there something more effective that will kill mealy bugs? 
 2. I'm wondering if I should strip off all the leaves and then it would be easier to treat just the branches. Is this advisable? 
 3. Do mealy bugs live in the dirt? My friend says they do but I can't find anything to confirm that, based on the research I've done on the internet. If it is possible they are in the dirt, how do I treat the dirt/mulch around the plants? 
 Help! I'm about ready to admit defeat and dig up and throw away all 4 bushes.

Sara · Answer

i tried all the natural methods too .. none really worked too well - got a chemical one in the end and that worked well to get rid of them

Jeanette S · Answer

These bugs can take over your yard if you do not stop them! A little bug spray sometimes is the only solution! If you start now, you will uses less in the long run!

Lori Lumley · Answer

We lost two of our 3. One was yellow, one was red and they were well over 5 feet. Peach one lives. We used the neem oil.

Petunia · Answer

There are four or more types of mealybugs here in Florida. At the UF/IFAS Extension we always recommend trying natural remedies first. If that fails and you wish to keep the plant, you'll need to try something stronger. Our local Extension office, and probably yours, recommends a systemic root drench such as Imidacloprid (Bayer's Advanced Tree and Shrub Insect Control) for best control. They go on to say that branches may need to be pruned following the root drench treatment to induce new growth. Throughout the country, local Extension offices or on the Web your University Extension office provides free! research-based knowledge to help us take care of our gardens in an environmentally friendly yet effective way. Good luck!

Debra · Answer

I use a spray made from a little Dawn and a bit of mineral oil mixed in water. The Dawn breaks up the mineral oil and when sprayed on bugs it coats and suffocates them. You need to really get in there and drench them all though. This works on many types of bugs and doesn't harm the bees and butterflies as systemic insecticides do.

Gilda · Answer

LADY BUGS is the answer, some garden shops sell them. Just let them loose on your hibiscus plants and they will eat them all up.

Shar · Answer

I live on the 'Big Island' of Hawaii - mealy bugs are rife here and in particular on the yellow hibiscus. I used chemical spray - had to. Prune your bush down quite hard then give it a good spray. They are pretty hardy and if you are living in a climate that supports them, you won't have any trouble getting them to come back out with a flourish. Mealy bugs like Hibiscus - that's all there is to it. Once they are pruned, spray them a couple of times - they will grow bigger than before but the bugs will return; you'll have to prune again. Do remember to sanitize your pruning tool afterward in order to keep down the spread of the mites.

Judy · Answer

I agree with Petunia. When all else fails go to a systemic poison. Also agree with her that your local extension office is an excellent source of information for growing/treating things in your area.

Mealy Bugs Are Taking Over My Hibiscus Bushes

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