Question From: S. Ross - ARIZONA
Q: Our Rosemary, which is planted outdoors in Scottsdale, AZ, is doing well except that I just noticed little white blobs on some of the branches. I don't see any bugs. I wonder if it is a fungus of some sort. Can you help me identify this and tell me how to get rid of it.
Sharon, It's not powdery mildew, it looks like snow. I think you have mealy bugs. Once they get well established they are almost impossible to get rid of. Dabbing the blobs with alcohol using a q Tip will kill them. But there are eggs lingering and youngsters crawling about, so after the dabbing of those you can see I'd spray the plant with a strong stream of water. Let it dry and then spray it with insecticidal soap. You will have to repeat the insecticidal soap treatment every 7 to 10 days for several weeks. Good Luck and Happy Yardening, Nancy.
