Ugh. What are these things again?

I see them on a few of my favorite Yamadori. I am posting some pics that are a little hazy. I used to know what they were but I just got back into Bonsai and I forget

They are, in appearance, as little white "fluffy" bits. When I pick them off there is a bit of bug inside which is obliterated by my hobby knife.
What are they and how do I treat them? Insecticidal soap?

Can't see but is it mealy bugs/wooly aphid?

If it is, read various remedies here... http://www.ehow.com/how_4667014_bugs-aka-woolly-aphids-plants.html

The link has some good ideas for chemical remedies and some home ones but no idea whether or not insecticidal soap will work on these mealy bugs. Anyone used it for these things?

A little hard to tell.
I was able to get rid of mealy bugs by making a mix of dish washing detergent and water (quite strong say 1:3) and spray all over. leave it for a day or so then hose off. if its not mealy bugs, or doesnt work, you wont have damaged the tree

gtuthill wrote:A little hard to tell.
I was able to get rid of mealy bugs by making a mix of dish washing detergent and water (quite strong say 1:3) and spray all over. leave it for a day or so then hose off. if its not mealy bugs, or doesnt work, you wont have damaged the tree

So insecticidal soap can harm a tree? I always had good luck with it when I used it before... hmm how can/does it harm a tree?

Thanks for all the direction by the way people. Much appreciated.

I have done some research and it looks more like it could be adelgids. The infestations are mainly on the new growth. Any suggestions for this update?

hi,
can you get malathion ? mixed in a sprayer with warm water it does the job on mealy and adeligids - both are a real pain and will take about a year to get rid off, especially once they lay eggs under the bark flakes.

if you are brave a pressure washer works too - great on trunks (and pots) but dont wash all the soil out You can move further away and to foliage too, if you are brave...........

cheers Marcus

Join the club, I too got adelgids on my pine. It progresses quickly so start spraying now, I used Bayer Tree and Shrub. I didn't know though they can last a yr. and spread to under the bark! So I guess I'll be spraying this pine every two weeks for the yr. Thanks Marcus for mentioning this.

I generally use a hose with an adjustable spray attachment. The finest works well, but you have to be diligent and attack from all angles, being careful not to wash them off onto other pines nearby!