A number of different insects and mites are common pests of citrus trees grown in Southward Carolina. Citrus pests identified by the Clemson Institute and Pest Diagnostic Clinic over the last few years take included various armored and soft scale insects, mites, whiteflies, leafminers, mealybugs, and aphids. The most problematic pests for containerized citrus grown indoors over the winter are spider mites and mealybugs.

To maintain a healthy citrus tree, such as this orange tree (Citrus x sinensis), one must be observant of insect pests that injure the foliage, twigs, and fruit and treat the pest problem accordingly.

To maintain a healthy citrus tree, such as this orange tree (Citrus x sinensis), one must be observant of insect pests that injure the leaf, twigs, and fruit and treat the pest problem accordingly.
Barbara Smith, ©2017 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Cultural Command & Prevention of Citrus Pests

Maintain skillful citrus tree wellness to reduce the chance and severity of scale infestation, and for the trees to better tolerate insect pests already present. Citrus under drought or nutrient stress are more than susceptible to calibration and other insect pest infestations, then maintain establish vigor. All the same, practise not over-fertilize trees and shrubs, equally this can atomic number 82 to increased pest problems.

Have the soil tested to decide the soil pH and the food content of the soil. Fertilize and lime co-ordinate to the soil test results. In the absenteeism of a soil test, fertilize citrus trees with a slow-release, citrus tree fertilizer or a tedious-release tree & shrub fertilizer (such as a 12-six-6) one time or twice in the spring, following fertilizer label rates. In counties along the declension, such as Horry, Beaufort, and Charleston, where loftier phosphorus levels naturally exist in the soils, use a 15-0-15 fertilizer for citrus trees. Avert the temptation to over-fertilize trees and shrubs, as this can lead to increased pest problems. For information on how to exam the soil, please see the fact sheet HGIC 1652, Soil Testing.

Water established citrus copse every bit needed, which is usually no more than once per week on established trees and monthly in the winter during periods of no rainfall. It is especially important to water trees during periods of heat and drought. Established copse crave 1 inch of irrigation water per calendar week during the growing flavour. Plants in containers may demand water much more often. Permit potting soil in containers to become slightly dry out betwixt watering. Repot citrus plants in the bound as needed.

Mulch trees in the landscape with a 3-inch deep layer of an organic mulch (bawl, pino needles, leaves, or compost), merely do not pile the mulch against the trunk. Utilise mulch out as far equally the limbs extend.

Prune out heavily infested twigs or branches and promptly dispose of pruned textile. This may significantly help to slow the infestation of scale insect pests. As well, exist sure to inspect nearby shrubs and trees for these pests.

A high-pressure level spray of water from the garden hose tin exist used to dislodge small pests, such as mites and aphids. For dislodging spider mites, direct the sprays upward toward the undersides of foliage. Indoor citrus houseplants may be taken outdoors during warm weather to spray with water or to let rainfall to help dislodge mites.

Mature citrus trees (more than 4 years quondam) by and large tolerate foliage damage by the citrus leafminer with little effect on tree growth or fruit yield. Citrus leafminer is probable to crusade more harm in young citrus trees every bit foliar damage reduces their vigorous growth. Fifty-fifty heavy infestations of citrus leafminer on young copse are unlikely to cause tree death. Do non clip leaves damaged past citrus leafminer considering undamaged areas of leaves will continue to produce nutrient for the tree (unless the leafminers are only in a few leaves). Do non apply nitrogen fertilizer at the times of the year when leafminer populations are high, such as in the summertime and fall, because a affluent of new leafage growth may exist damaged.

Caution: If citrus trees are growing in the backyard, keep broadleaf weed killers abroad, as these tin can hurt or stress copse. Tree roots volition extend outward under the turfgrass and can take upwardly these herbicides. Harmful herbicide products include weed & feed fertilizers applied on nearby lawns.

Scale Insect Pests

The California red scale is an armored scale with a hard, reddish-brown covering over the adults. It can infest all parts of the plants.

The California cerise scale is an armored scale with a hard, reddish-chocolate-brown covering over the adults. Information technology tin can infest all parts of the plants.
Dennis Navea, ControlBest, Bugwood.org

California red scale (Aonidiella aurantii) is an armored calibration pest of citrus and difficult to control with insecticides. The adult female person scale infests the fruit, stems, and leaves, and appears equally ⅟x-inch, reddish-brown spots or scabs on the institute. The female person gives birth to 100 to 150 yellow-colored immatures, chosen crawlers, which disperse by crawling to discover a place to settle downwardly and suck nutrients from the institute parts. These crawlers class hard coverings over their bodies and go immobile adults.

Severe infestations cause leaf yellowing and drib, dieback of twigs and limbs, and occasionally decease of the tree. Citrus tree damage is most probable to occur in late summer and early fall when populations of this scale are highest, and wet stress on the tree is greatest. Naturally occurring parasitic insects may help control some of the scales in outdoor settings.

Citrus snow scale infests limbs and twigs initially, but with a severe infestation, this scale will colonize the foliage

Citrus snow scale infests limbs and twigs initially, merely with a severe infestation, this scale volition colonize the foliage.
Central Science Laboratory, Harpenden, British Crown, Bugwood.org

Citrus snow scale (Unaspis citri) is an armored calibration that is a sporadic pest and host specific on citrus trees. Heavy infestations tin well-nigh completely embrace the bark and larger limbs and give a white, snowy advent. The camouflaged, immobile female scales are brownish-purple, oyster-beat shaped, and ⅟16– to ⅟11-inch long pests. The snow-white, winged males give the descriptive name to this scale species. Crawlers (immatures) are very small, light orangish to cherry and easily spread to other plants and additional branches. Some or all life stages of the scale are found throughout the year (eggs, crawlers, nymphs, and adults). At that place are multiple generations of this scale during the growing season.

With infestation, citrus tree will take decreased vigor, reduced fruit production, and partial defoliation. Heavy infestations tin cause limb and branch dieback, large cracks to form in the bawl, and can eventually lead to the death of the tree. Typically, leaves and fruit are non infested until scale populations go severe. Natural parasitoids are unable to keep this scale pest under control.

Florida red scale initially infests citrus fruit and is one of the most damaging scale pests of citrus.

Florida red scale initially infests citrus fruit and is one of the most damaging scale pests of citrus.
Pedro Torrent Chocarro, Bugwood.org

Florida red scale (Chrysomphalus aonidum) is an armored scale with circular armor made up of iii concentric rings. They are dark reddish-brown, have a conspicuous, low-cal brown center, and the size is near ⅟12-inch in diameter. This scale occurs on a broad range of hosts, such equally citrus, Aspidistra, and Dracaena, and like almost armored scales does not produce honeydew (the sugary waste material product that drips from the insects). There may be several generations per yr. The immatures (crawlers) are brilliant lemon yellow. They infest fruit first, and and so in late summer and early on fall, they feed on the foliage.

Symptoms consist of xanthous spots on both the leaves and fruit. If only a few leaves are infested with scales, trim off and dispose of the infested foliage. If the citrus is a mural institute, sprays are needed to stop the spread of this pest. Heavy infestation may cause severe confusion. This scale pest is ane of the almost serious pests of citrus. In that location are several wasp parasites, which assistance in the control of this calibration. Additionally, ladybird beetles will feed on the scale crawlers.

Purple scale

Imperial calibration is also a serious pest of citrus and can infest all parts of the citrus trees. D.R. Miller, US National Collection of Scale Insects Photographs, USDA ARS, Bugwood.org

Imperial scale (Lepidosaphes beckii) is an armored scale pest primarily of citrus trees. The adult female scales are small, elongate, ⅟12– to ⅟viii-inch long, purple to dark brownish, and slightly curved. The adult male scales are smaller. The mobile immatures are very small-scale and white, and there may be ii generations per year. This insect pest prefers the shadier and more protected areas of the tree, so the college populations may be found toward the heart of the tree. The dense canopy of leafage protects them from parasites.

This calibration infests the citrus foliage, fruit, and stems, and tin cause leafage yellowing and drop, spotting and deformity of fruit, shoot malformation, and with heavy infestations, plant decease tin occur. Symptoms include green spots on fruit that do not color correctly and yellow spots on leaf. A heavy infestation may cause defoliation. Parasitic wasps keep purple scale in check in Florida, just these biological controls may not yet be present in South Carolina.

Florida wax calibration (Ceroplases floridensis) are pocket-sized brown-purple insects that are covered with a muddy-white waxy covering. They are soft scales that usually infest citrus, hemlock, azalea, blueberry, camellia, Chinese elm, fig, Chinese holly, yaupon holly, jasmine, mulberry, pear, persimmon, plum quince and other plants. Crawlers (the immatures) are typically pinkish and are present during late spring or early summer. They migrate to and feed on the underside of leaf for nigh a month, at which time the female crawlers motion to twigs and small branches to continue feeding.

Florida wax scale

Florida wax scale is a soft scale of citrus and many ornamentals. This scale produces honeydew, which drips onto surrounding foliage. The honeydew is colonized by dark-colored sooty mold and results in leaf becoming blackened.
Chazz Hesselein, Alabama Cooperative Extension Organisation, Bugwood.org

When a scale infestation is heavy, blackness sooty mold can grow on the clear, sweet, mucilaginous honeydew (the sugary waste production resulting from scale feeding on plant sap) that drips onto nearby foliage. Astringent infestations may kill branches. If at that place is no noticeable blackening of the leaves from sooty mold, so the wax scale infestation is probably not severe enough to impale branches. Typically, natural enemies, such as parasitic wasps, keep Florida wax calibration nether control.

Cottony cushion scale (Icerya purchase) can exist more than a nuisance on shrubs and copse. Host plants include citrus, apple, Nandina, Boston ivy, boxwood, cypress, hackberry, locust, maple, oaks, peaches and plums, pecan, pears, pine, Pittosporum, pomegranate, quince, rose, Verbena, walnut, willow, and other woody ornamentals.

Woman scale insects have crimson-brown bodies with black legs and antennae. However, the most distinguishing characteristic of this scale is the large, elongated and grooved, cottony-white egg sac. The egg sac (⅜- to ⅝-inch in length) becomes two to 2½ times as long as the body of the female, and there may be hundreds of eggs in each egg sac. Eggs in the egg sac hatch into the six-legged "crawler" phase, which are bright scarlet with black legs. They then movement onto larger twigs and branches, feed, and develop through several stages earlier becoming adults. Populations may increase very quickly during the dryer months of summer.

Cottony cushion scale is another soft scale of citrus. Behind the female scale is a grooved, white egg sac containing hundreds of scale eggs

Cottony cushion scale is another soft calibration of citrus. Behind the female calibration is a grooved, white egg sac containing hundreds of scale eggs.
Sonya Broughton, Dept. of Agronomics & Food, Western Australia, Bugwood.org

Cottony absorber calibration infestations can generally cause older trees to accept reduced vigor, premature leaf drop, or twig death, only younger trees can be severely stunted or killed. Similar to the Florida wax calibration, these soft scale insects debilitate plants by sucking out sap (phloem), and and then excrete honeydew, which coats infested plants. Dark fungi chosen sooty molds grow in the honeydew. Heavily infested trees become chlorotic and darkened by the mold. During periods of stress, leaves and fruit may drop prematurely, and plants may dice.

Chemical Command of Scales: The adult female person scales are difficult to command with regular contact insecticides because of their difficult, waxy roofing. Even so, sprays of horticultural oil, an excellent, proven product for calibration control, kill all stages of scales insects that are nowadays at the time of application. Horticultural oil is prophylactic to use and is an especially good option for sensitive areas, such as where people are present presently after treatment. Due to its short residual, oil sprays help to conserve beneficial insect species. Horticultural oil sprays control both armored and soft scales.

Apply a horticultural oil spray before new growth begins in late wintertime or early bound and when the temperatures are above 45 °F. These oils work past smothering overwintering adult female scales, immatures (crawlers), and their eggs. They offer the all-time control when applied during this dormant season. Oil sprays impale past suffocation. Spray the trunk and limbs with 2% horticultural oil solution to the point of run-off. Make a two% solution past mixing v tablespoons of horticultural oil per gallon of water.

Horticultural oil sprays can be applied any time to control scales whatever time the temperatures are between 45 and 85 ºF. If scale problems are severe, bound and fall applications may be needed. Boosted spray applications may be required when new leaves beginning to expand in the jump. Make two or more bound applications as necessary at three- to four-week intervals. These springtime sprays provide control of the immatures (crawlers) that hatch afterward new leafage appears. Spray the trees thoroughly until the oil spray drips or "runs off" from the upper and lower surfaces of leaves, twigs, branches, and the trunk.

When necessary, a ane or two% mixture of horticultural oil can be applied over again to the leaf during the growing season. For tender new growth, apply a i% mixture spray (2½ tablespoons per gallon of water). On mature foliage, apply a 2% mixture spray (5 tablespoons of oil per gallon of water). Do not spray in direct sunlight or if rainfall is expected inside 24 hours. To lessen the chance of foliar injury and slow the drying time of the oil sprays, employ horticultural oils late in the twenty-four hour period.

If citrus fruit are present on the plants, apply horticultural oil no stronger than three tablespoons per gallon of water. Milkshake the sprayer oftentimes to keep the oil and water mixed. Examples of horticultural oil products are in Table 1.

Canola oil sprays labeled for horticultural use can also exist used to reduce the number of scale insect pests by suffocating all growth stages similar the horticultural oil sprays practice. Examples of bachelor brands are in Table 1.

In general, using least toxic insecticides, like horticultural oil and canola oil, will prevent harm to beneficial insects. When full general contact insecticides are used, they will kill the naturally occurring, beneficial enemies of scale insects. The full general contact insecticides will only kill the crawler stage (immatures) of the scale insect considering they cannot penetrate the difficult waxy covering over the adults. Therefore, contact insecticides should but be applied during the growing season when scale crawlers are present. General contact insecticides registered for insect control on citrus include malathion. For examples of brands containing malathion, please see Table 1.

Mites

Citrus red mite is a cool season citrus pest, so populations are higher during the spring and fall.

Citrus red mite is a absurd season citrus pest, and then populations are higher during the spring and fall.
Jim Baker, N Carolina State Academy, Bugwood.org

Citrus crimson mite (Panonychus citri) is more than active on new growth of citrus plants, especially in the late leap and early on fall. Populations will also be higher at these times of year because in the summer, the higher temperatures and humidity tend to reduce these cool season mite populations. Adult female citrus red mites are oval, globular-shaped and characteristically red. These mites feed on leaves, fruit, and green twigs of all citrus varieties. Leaf infestations are typically higher than those on the fruit. Citrus red mite produces little or no webbing on the constitute.

The mite has piercing-sucking mouthparts, which it inserts into plant tissue. Injury resulting from this type of feeding appears as low-cal-colored, scratched, or bleached areas, known as stippling. Stippling gives leaves and fruit a grayish or silvery appearance. Citrus red mites feeding and harsh atmospheric condition tin can upshot in heavy leafage drop, twig dieback, and death of big limbs. Citrus red mite is a major pest of citrus worldwide causing considerable damage on lemon and grapefruit, and to a bottom extent on orange and tangerine. Other host plants include roses and pears.

Two-spotted spider mite is a summertime pest of citrus, but this mite will infest containerized citrus held indoors during the winter.

Two-spotted spider mite is a summertime pest of citrus, just this mite volition infest containerized citrus held indoors during the winter.
Sonya Broughton, Dept. of Agronomics & Nutrient, Western Australia, Bugwood.org

2-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) infestations usually start on the lower leaf surface. As the spider mite population grows, they often move to the upper leafage surface to feed. Citrus plants growing side by side to very warm surfaces, such as brick, stone, or concrete structures are more apt to become infested with two-spotted spider mites considering the plants volition be hotter and thus more stressed. Unlike the citrus red mite that prefers cooler temperatures, ii-lined spider mites are more of a pest during the warmer summer months. However, they can become a year-round pest when containerized citrus plants are brought indoors during the winter.

By and large, a fine flecking or stippling is observed as the mites feed on the leaf. The mesophyll layer (the centre layer) of the leaf collapses and the infested expanse becomes stake or grayish. A sure sign of a heavy spider mite infestation is large amounts of webbing constitute around the terminal ends of upright branches. A severe infestation may also cause defoliation. Two-spotted spider mites are besides pests of many mural shrubs and flowers.

When attempting to make a positive identification, spider mites tin be detected by viewing the underside of leaves using a 10x or greater lens. Another detection method is to shake branches over a white slice of newspaper. Dislodged spider mites announced equally little "specks" approximately the size of a period at the end of this sentence.

Chemical Control of Mites: Horticultural oil is rubber to use and is an particularly good choice for sensitive areas, such every bit where people are nowadays soon after treatment. Because of the short residue, oil sprays help to conserve beneficial insect species. Horticultural oil sprays will command both citrus cherry-red mites and two-spotted spider mites.

Apply a horticultural oil spray before new growth begins in the late winter or early spring and when the temperature is to a higher place 45 °F. These oils work by smothering the overwintering mites and reduce populations earlier they can build up in the spring. These sprays kill by suffocation. Spray the trunk and limbs with 2% horticultural oil solution to the point of run-off. Make a two% solution with 5 tablespoons of horticultural oil per gallon of water.

Horticultural oil sprays tin can be applied any time when temperatures are between 45 and 85 ºF. If the citrus cherry mite problem is serious, both spring and fall applications may be necessary. Apply spray applications when new leaves start to expand in the spring. Apply a ane% oil spray (2½ tablespoons oil per gallon of water). Make 2 or more applications as necessary at three- to four-week intervals. Spray the plants thoroughly until the mixture drips or "runs off" from the upper and lower surfaces of leaves, twigs, branches, and the trunk. Later in the growing season, when the temperatures go warmer, 2-spotted spider mite populations may increase rapidly.

When necessary, use a two% mixture of horticultural oil spray to the mature foliage during the growing season (5 tablespoons of oil per gallon of h2o). Practise non spray in direct sunlight, or if rainfall is expected within 24 hours. To lessen any chance of foliar injury and irksome the drying time of the oil sprays, apply horticultural oil sprays late in the day.

Citrus grown every bit houseplants infested with 2-spotted spider mites may be taken outdoors during balmy temperatures for spray applications, then returned indoors when dry. Practise not spray citrus that are in bloom. If citrus fruit are present on the plants, utilise horticultural oil sprays that are no stronger than 3 tablespoons per gallon of water. Shake the sprayer often to exist sure the mixture does not carve up. For examples of horticultural oils, please see Table 1.

Canola oil sprays can likewise be applied to reduce the number of citrus red mites and ii-spotted spider mites and is used like a horticultural oil spray. For examples of canola oil products, please see Table ane.

Insecticidal soap sprays are very effective confronting diverse mites and are virtually effective if applied when environmental conditions promote slow drying (i.due east., early forenoon and early evening). Repeat applications in five days if more than spider mites are found. Thorough coverage on the undersides of the leaves and new growth to the point of run-off is especially important when using lather sprays. Do not use insecticidal soap sprays when the citrus is in bloom. Follow characterization directions for mixing. For examples of insecticidal soap products, please run into Tabular array 1.

Whiteflies, Leafminers, Mealybugs, & Aphids

Citrus whitefly feed primarily the lower leaf surface of foliage. As they suck sap, the sugary waste product, called honeydew, is produced and drips onto surrounding foliage. Soon afterward, the honeydew is colonized by the dark-colored sooty mold.

Citrus whitefly feed primarily the lower leaf surface of foliage. Every bit they suck sap, the sugary waste product, chosen honeydew, is produced and drips onto surrounding leafage. Shortly afterwards, the honeydew is colonized by the dark-colored sooty mold.
Lyle Buss, University of Florida, Bugwood.org

Citrus whiteflies (Dialeurodes citri) take piercing-sucking mouthparts with which they puncture the leaf and suck the establish juices. The top sides of leaves on infested plants become pale or spotted due to these insects feeding on the undersides of the leaves. Whiteflies excrete big amounts of honeydew, a liquid sugary waste material product, which drips onto foliage and provides an fantabulous medium for the growth of a black fungus chosen sooty mold. Likewise being unattractive, sooty mold may interfere with photosynthesis and retard the growth of the institute. Sooty mold normally weathers abroad post-obit command of the insect infestation.

Ants feed on the sugary honeydew excreted past piercing-sucking insects, such as whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs. When ants are seen on citrus plants, the leaf should be examined closely for the presence of these insects All-encompassing feeding may cause foliage drop.

Citrus whiteflies tin exist detected by shaking a branch and watching for the small white adults as they fly away. Other whitefly species besides may feed on citrus plants.

The citrus whitefly nymph is small and flat, and feeds on the lower leaf surface of citrus foliage, as does the adult

The citrus whitefly nymph is small and flat, and feeds on the lower leaf surface of citrus foliage, every bit does the adult.
Florida Division of Constitute Industry, Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Bugwood.org

Citrus leafminer (Phyllocnistis citrella) is a very minor, light-colored moth that is less than ⅛-inch long. Female moths are attracted to the new succulent foliage on citrus trees and lay their eggs singly on the underside of leaves, particularly along the mid-vein. Eggs hatch about 4 to 5 days after being laid. Newly hatched citrus leafminer larvae begin feeding immediately in shallow, meandering mines or tunnels inside young leaves. The larvae mine the lower or upper surface of the leaves causing them to curl and look distorted. The citrus leafminer most commonly feeds on most species of citrus, equally well as closely related plants, such equally kumquat and calamondin.

New leaves are the sites for egg laying by the citrus leafminer adult. The eggs hatch, and the immatures feed as they mine within these young, tender leaves. As the leaves expand, they become distorted.

New leaves are the sites for egg laying by the citrus leafminer adult. The eggs hatch, and the immatures feed equally they mine within these immature, tender leaves. As the leaves expand, they become distorted.
Joey Williamson, ©2017 HGIC, Clemson Extension

Citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri) female and nymphs (immatures) are ⅛-inch or smaller. They are soft, flat, oval, and wingless insects with long tails and covered with white fluffy wax. Male person insects are tiny and gnat-like with one pair of wings. Citrus mealybugs infest a broad variety of greenhouse, nursery, and mural plants. They typically feed on above ground portions of plants at shoot crotches. If numerous, they may exist found feeding on stems, leaf, and flowers.

Citrus mealybug is a pest of citrus, as well as many landscape and greenhouse plants. They primarily feed on foliage and tender stems.

Citrus mealybug is a pest of citrus, every bit well as many mural and greenhouse plants. They primarily feed on foliage and tender stems.
J.A. Davidson, University of Maryland, College Park, Bugwood.org

Citrus mealybugs feed on plants from 27 plant families, including citrus, apple tree, English ivy, Ficus, Gardenia, Jasmine, Oleander, persimmon, Pittosporum, Canna, and Rhododendron. Other species of mealybugs may besides infest citrus.

Citrus mealybug impairment hosts by sucking out plant sap causing wilt, distorted or stunted growth, yellowed (chlorotic) leaves, premature foliage drop, and occasionally death. They also secrete an unattractive cottony wax. Like other piercing-sucking insects in a higher place, mealybugs excrete large amounts of honeydew. This sugary waste matter becomes colonized past sooty mold causing leaves to expect night and unsightly. Mealybugs have many naturally occurring parasites and predators.

Blackness citrus aphid (Toxoptera aurantii) is some other common insect pest of citrus. This aphid also infests Camellia, Ixora, sugar maple, Pittosporum, crape myrtle, and Elaeagnus in the Southern The states.

These brown citrus aphids are very similar in appearance to the black citrus aphid, which feeds on flowers buds and new foliage of citrus.

These brownish citrus aphids are very like in appearance to the blackness citrus aphid, which feeds on flowers buds and new foliage of citrus.
Florida Division of Institute Industry, Florida Dept. of Agronomics & Consumer Services, Bugwood.org

Blackness citrus aphid is most abundant in early leap and typically congregates on flower buds. They will as well feed on young developing foliage resulting in leaf cupping, curling, and twisting. Equally with all aphid feeding, the production of honeydew results in the growth of the black sooty mold on leaves. Other species of aphids also feed on citrus. Aphids are often kept under control by the many natural predators and parasites.

Chemical Command of Whiteflies, Leafminers, Mealybugs, & Aphids: Horticultural oil sprays will control whiteflies, mealybugs, and aphids, merely not leafminers. On citrus copse, apply horticultural oil sprays when pests are present, and when temperatures are betwixt 45 and 85 ºF. All the same, they will non piece of work preventatively, as they kill by suffocation as the oil sprays comprehend the pest. Spray the trunk, limbs, and mature leafage with 2% horticultural oil solution to the point of run-off. Make a ii% solution by calculation five tablespoons of horticultural oil per gallon of water.

If pests are present during spring every bit new, tender growth appears, apply a one% mixture spray (two½ tablespoons oil per gallon of water). Apply two more than jump applications equally necessary at three- to four-week intervals. Spray the plants thoroughly, and so that the oil mixture drips or "runs off" from the upper and lower surfaces of leaves, twigs, branches, and the trunk. Do not spray in directly sunlight, or if rainfall is expected within the next 24 hours. To lessen any chance of foliar injury and wearisome the drying fourth dimension of the oil sprays, apply horticultural oils late in the twenty-four hour period.

Citrus grown equally houseplants that are infested with whiteflies, mealybugs, or aphids can be taken outdoors during balmy temperatures for spray applications, and and so returned indoors afterwards they are dry out. Do non spray citrus trees that are in bloom.

If citrus fruit are nowadays on the plants, apply horticultural oil mixtures no stronger than 3 tablespoons per gallon of water. Shake the sprayer frequently to be certain the oil and water mixture do not divide. For examples of horticultural oil products, delight see Tabular array one.

Canola oil sprays can also be used to reduce the number of whiteflies, mealybugs, and aphids. For examples of canola oil products, delight run into Table 1.

Insecticidal soap sprays are too very effective against whiteflies, mealybugs, and aphids. These sprays work amend if applied when environmental weather condition promote slow drying (i.e., early morning and early on evening). Repeat spray applications in 5 days if necessary. Thorough coverage on the undersides of the leaves and new growth to the indicate of run-off is especially important when using lather sprays. Practice not utilise insecticidal soap sprays when the citrus is in bloom.

Mealybugs are more than apt to be a problem with indoor citrus copse. Containerized citrus plants tin can be moved outside during balmy atmospheric condition to spray them with an insecticidal soap. Follow label directions for mixing and spray copse to the point of run off. For examples of insecticidal soap products, please run into Table one.

Spinosad is a natural insecticide that has the ability to penetrate the foliage (i.e., it is a foliar systemic) and volition control citrus leafminer larvae within the leaves. For examples of products containing Spinosad, please see Table i.

Table ane. Insecticides for Citrus Insect Pest Command in the Habitation Mural.

Pesticide Active Ingredient Brand Names & Products
Horticultural oil1 & canola oil1 Bonide All Seasons Spray Oil Concentrate
Ferti-lome Horticultural Oil Spray Concentrate
Monterey Horticultural Oil Concentrate
Southern Ag ParaFine Horticultural Oil Concentrate
Tiptop Year Round Spray Oil Concentrate
Espoma World-tone Horticultural Oil Concentrate (canola); & RTS2
Insecticidal soapthree Bonide Insecticidal Soap Concentrate
Espoma Earth-tone Insecticidal Lather Concentrate
Natural Guard Insecticidal Soap Concentrate
Safer Brand Insect Killing Lather Concentrate II
Garden Prophylactic Insecticidal Soap Insect Killer Concentrate
Malathion Bonide Malathion Insect Control 50% Concentrate
Ortho Max Malathion Insect Spray Concentrate
Spectracide Malathion Insect Spray Concentrate
Southern Ag Malathion 50% EC
Southern Ag Malathion – Oil Citrus & Ornamental Spray Concentrate
Spinosad Bonide Colorado Spud Beetle Beater Concentrate
Bonide Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew Concentrate; & RTS2
Ferti-lome Borer, Bagworm & Leafminer Spray Concentrate
Monterey Garden Insect Spray Concentrate
Natural Baby-sit Spinosad Bagworm, Tent Caterpillar, & Chewing Insect Control Concentrate; & RTS2
Southern Ag Conserve Naturalyte Insect Control Concentrate
  1. Do not apply oil sprays when the temperature is below 45 °F or in a higher place 85 °F, or to drought-stressed plants. Spray belatedly in the solar day and when no pelting is expected within the next 24 hours.
  2. RTS = Ready to Spray (hose-end applicator)
  3. Do not employ soap sprays when the temperature is higher up 85 °F or to drought-stressed plants. Spray late in the day.
    With all pesticides, read and follow all characterization instructions and precautions.