I personally use products that have imidacloprid in them. In particular I use Bayer Tree and Shrub products with I believe 1.47% imidacloprid. This is great against spider mites and mealy bugs as well as other things you do not want. Last fall I dosed all my plants a couple of times before bringing them in (2 Tbsp/Gal at the concentration indicated)......I both sprayed the leaves and did a soil soak.....I never had a bug all winter....no spider mites, no aphids, no nothing....first winter ever.....I've already started my regimen this fall. I'm sure there are a ton of other options, but this is what I do. By the way, this is perfectly safe on my Amaryllids from all around the world, my caudiciforms, my aroids and everything else :o) Dan

Thanks Dan! Since I nearly poisoned myself and my coworkers with a granular systemic a few years back, I'm glad to know about this alternative. BTW...still use the Bayer granuales, just don't bring them in the house anymore!
:-)
Kristi

Hello Dan - Thank you for sharing your invaluable information! :) I'll go check out Home Depot tomorrow to see if they have the Bayer Tree and Shrub (liquid form) in stock. I hate to kill the harmless buggies but I also don't want to have bugs walking around on my white carpet. Have a great day.

Pax,

I know exactly how you feel, I HATE killing the harmless bugs :( I hate it! I always feel awful even killing a fly!

If you got some extra $ to spare, giving your plants/bulbs a dose of that "High Tech" fungus and bacteria Mycorrhizae/Trichoderma (hope I spelled that right)would help a lot preventing "baddies" overwintering with your plants/bulbs. It works with Imidacloprid but some fungicides and insecticides can kill them.