Mealies with neem oil

[ocelot]

I've discovered a small infestation of mealy bugs on two of my plants. I've applied it topically and applied through the roots since it's supposed to work as a systemic insecticide. Here's one question I want to ask, do cacti absorb water through their areoles? If this is true then the cacti would've also absorbed the neem.

[iann]

Cacti don't have to absorb anything through the areoles to absorb a systemic insecticide. Don't get too excited about the systemic properties of neem oil though