Mealybugs - sucessful eradication possibilities?

[CocoaNut]

Short of destroying the plants and shrubs that mealy bugs have taken as a host, does anyone have a proven method of eliminating the nasty little pest?

I first noticed them yesterday on a lone bell pepper plant. More than a few, but not what I'd call in infestation. Then, walking about 15 ft away, I found a complete infestation on a 14 yr old Texas Sage (not the herb, but a shrub that over the years produce woody branches). It was about 7 am and the bugs were swarming around the sage like a bunch of white gnats. The swarming stopped once the sun was fully up.

I sprayed both plants with Neem Oil and checking this morning, they are still swarming as though nothing had been done. The label (Fertilome) on the neem says only spray at 7 day intervals. Has anyone used it more often or at greater than recommended strength?

I hate using a commercial pesticide, but if that’s what it takes …… and what would it be? Also, do these little critters live in the soil? I did not spray the soil medium between the two plants. Is that something I need to do? Other plants (shrubs and herbs) in the area are unaffected at this time, but I don't what them involved either.

I don't mind losing a single pepper plant, but I really hate to loose the shrub.

Just as an FYI - I have a number of lizards (anoles) around my house. I haven't been able to find a nursery in my area that has any ladybugs. I was told the distributor does not have them available.

[CocoaNut]

Nearly a year later, Neil Sperry, a leading horticulturist in the Dallas area, is reporting that the problem may have been Scale. My shrub of reference above, was a Texas Sage. I cut in down last fall, :( but

See pictures under: A New Pest of Crape Myrtles at:
http://crapemyrtletrails.org/pest