All insects are not pests! Most insects do no harm to your citrus trees. Some actually help get rid of the bad guys. Know the good like ladybugs and lacewings from the bad ones before hastily acting.
Sometimes the products chosen for controlling pests can treat for fungus issues as well.
Common Citrus Pests
Aphids
Leaf Miner
The pictures below don’t due justice to the severity leaf miner. Since I spray regularly it doesn’t reach a point where the leaf looks like artwork. Outdoor citrus trees can have a maze etched in many leaves.
Spider Mites
Mealy Bugs
White Flies
Scale Insects
Scale come in many different color and sizes.
Treatment
I look for products with OMRI certification for organic gardening. This means that my fruit will be organic. What exactly ‘organic’ means is debatable. There are products that do not have the OMRI stamp of approval on the packaging. That does not mean it can’t be used for organic gardening. There is nothing inherently wrong with a product without an ‘organic’ or ‘for organic gardening’ label. One common product used for treating greasy spots is liquid copper fungicide, but you’ll have difficulty finding a copper fungicide solution with the OMRI label. There are concerns with copper build up in the soil, but if you follow the directions on the packaging that shouldn’t be an issue. Cooper Fungicide is approved for organic gardening and necessary for treatment of greasy spots.
My Products
Neem Oil
There are many options available. The percent of actual neem oil will vary from product to product, so refer to the packaging. I purchased a product that is nearly 100% neem oil and even carries the USDA Organic sticker on it.
Horticultural Oil
Horticultural oil ingredients can vary quite a bit. I would look for a OMRI certified product especially here.
Citrus left on their Own
The important thing to remember is that citrus aren’t some pathetic, defenseless plants. Without some evolutionary self-protecting adaptations, they wouldn’t even exist today.
Next to my citrus trees there is a chain-linked fence covered in vines. The vine’s leaves are fast growing. In fact, they grow so quickly that preserving every leaf isn’t a concern for its survival and overall well-being.
Citrus, on the other hand, are evergreens, and would like to keep as many leafs for as long as possible and each as healthy as possible. The leaves naturally secret a chemical that turns off many insects and animals including my dog, Connie!
Other Potential Problems
- Watering Issues
- Nutrient Deficiencies
- Fungus Issues
- Environmental Issues