What do I use to get rid of this pest in my hedge,

[Frank0909]

I have this pest on my hedge and on some of my gardenias, what pest is it and what can I spray to kill it.
I have tried white oil with pyrethrum and I don't seem to have much success

 

[Chuck]

Looks like mealybugs. Spray and soak them with rubbing alcohol.

 

[Frank0909]

How do you know when they are dead

 

[Chuck]

How do you know when they are dead

Mealybugs are a soft scale insect and unlike hard scale insects are not permanently attached to the plant. Most of the time dead mealybugs will just fall off the plant. To make sure just flick some of the white stuff onto a sheet of paper and see if it moves. The white stuff are the actual insects. Just spray with alcohol and the next day hit them with a strong stream of water and wash them away if they are still hanging on.

 

[Frank0909]

Thanks for that info will try it tomorrow