Insect and Spider Identification: PLEASE HELP....Identify & how do I get rid of it???, 1 by kastrol

kastrol wrote:
This is ALL over many different flowers in my garden; cone flower, black-eye-susan, Lilies (Asiatic & Oriental), phlox, Rose of Sharon, just to name a few. It seems to like the area where the leaves meet the stem. It is a sticky cottony substance. When I try to wipe it off a small white bug jumps (not really flies) off. Is this a type of Mealy bug? Any suggestions how to get rid of it?? I have read if it is Mealy bug to wipe the area with Alchohol, but there are soooo many???
I would appreciate anyones advise or information about this critter.
Also, is it really extra buggy this year, or is it just my gardens????