Differentiate cottony mealybugs from powdery mildew at a glance and act accordingly.
Key differences
- Mildew: even powder film, spreads on surfaces, wipes away but returns.
- Mealybugs: cottony tufts in leaf axils/veins; produce sticky honeydew; dabs of 70% alcohol dissolve them.
Natural first response
- Isolate the plant; wipe or rinse foliage.
- Spot-treat mealy with alcohol swabs; repeat weekly 3–4 weeks.
- For mildew, increase airflow and use gentle labeled sprays.
When to escalate
If either problem rebounds quickly, prune heavier and reassess light, humidity, and spacing — dense, still air invites both.
