[Ron]

Hi.
maybe I should not comment on your problem.
But I feel maybe you are being led up the wrong path on the mealy bug problem.

I never like using the nasty poisions either But as Confidor Concentrate Insecticide is based on a natural chemical imidacloprid from the tobacco base Nicotine.
I feel it is a safe as most of the so called combinations of other natural plants extracts etc.
Is is used in most stated of Australia as a control measure on many food pests.
In Tasmania it is use on our Food products especially the common pest free lettuce

This is sold fit for humans to eat.

Other uses are in flea contolls for pets etc
I use Confidor Concentrate Insecticide on my Paphs to control mealy bugs.
When I first started using it the mealy bug problem was out of contol dispite using toxic poisons sprays for a while.
I finally was put onto Confidor by a American Orchid nursery as one of the least toxic poision to use.
I only use it once per year and in the active growth cycle of the plants being sprayed.
Ie late spring or early autum.
I use the Concentrate powder form and mix it to the mearly bug instructions on packett.
Of several thousand Paphs I get about 6 to 10 plants with a few mealy bug re-infestations each year.
I allways use full safety mask, clothing etc.
I suspect they are coming in from outside as we live near bushland!
Cheerio
Ron