I planted succulents in the foolish hope of a low water, low maintenance yard.

It's NOT a foolish hope. You just happened to get infected stock, or there were already mealybugs in the area that moved in. Phormiums have become bad for mealy infestations. Check down in the base of the Phormiums and if necessary treat Bayer systemic to kill off the mealies there also.

A few days of diligent repeat spray of an alcohol/water mix can kill off the mealies. Once predators get established you may never have problems again.

Please realize that "low maintenance" is not the same as "no maintenance", and even a yard that is nothing but a concrete slab needs maintenance (sweeping).

Hoov,
thank you for restoring my faith in succulents! I am completely unable to see if there are bugs at the base, the mealybugs are so hard to see except in between the leaf joints at the stem where they really reek havoc. Also, since it is heavy spider season, spiderwebs and mealybugs have some similar look to them and I don't want to kill spiders. Unless these are really spider mites? I don't know how to tell the difference.

I know I know lady who swallowed a spider, she swallowed the spider to catch the fly but I don't know why she swallowed the fly. Sorry couldn't resist.

Thank you SO much,
Anna