Treat mealybugs and scale

Manually removing what you can see first makes any spray treatment far more effective against these pests.

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

20 minutes plus repeat treatment

Cost

Steps

1. Wipe off visible mealybugs or scale with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
2. Apply neem oil to the whole plant, including stems and leaf joints, after manual removal.
3. Isolate the plant and recheck weekly, since both pests often need more than one treatment.