![]() ![]() Minor infestations on mature trees usually resolve themselves as the new growth hardens off or if aphid predators are present, but can be treated by spraying affected branches with soapy water and rinsing them off with a hose. While scale is the most likely culprit behind your sticky citrus leaves, aphids can also cause similar damage to citrus, especially on younger trees or ones that are going through a lot of new leaf growth. The waxy coating over scale insects protects them from chemical pesticides, so it is not recommended to apply them as they can only control the immature crawling nymphs or mobile males.įor minor infestations, or scale on small citrus trees, you can manually wipe them off the leaves and stems and repeat as necessary to thin out their numbers. Be sure to apply over the entire citrus tree, including the branches and undersides of the leaves. Horticultural oils work by suffocating scale insects. Spraying horticultural oil or neem oil is the recommended best practice for managing citrus scale infestations. How Do You Get Rid of Scale Insects on Citrus? You may also see ants crawling all over your citrus trees, as ants use honeydew (the sticky sap) as a food source. Scale on leaves are usually easier to identify as they are often beige, brown, or black. Ants crawling on your citrus trees (may or may not be present)Ĭheck the tops and undersides of leaves, and along branches for scale insects, which look like immobile, raised bumps.Raised beige, brown, or black bumps on leaves and stems which can be easily wiped off.They can especially harm younger, more vulnerable citrus plants. Also like aphids, you may find ants crawling on outdoor citrus trees infested with scale, as the ants harvest the honeydew.īecause (female) scale insects can’t move, it can be difficult to know you have them until it’s too late. Like aphids, they suck the sap out of your citrus plants, and as they feed they excrete honeydew, which ends up making your plant (and sometimes neighboring plants) sticky. Mature females are sedentary and cover themselves with a protective wax coating, making them look like scaly spots on the stems and leaves of your plants. Scale insects are small insects that feed on a variety of plants. Note that they can be on the top or underside of leaves. ![]() Scale often appears as beige, brown, or black bumps on branches and leaves. ![]() A small lemon plant with a scale infestation. Sooty mold doesn’t directly infect the leaves, but can be unsightly and block sunlight.Īlso note that severe infestations of aphids or scale can create honeydew deposits underneath and around your citrus trees, affecting other plants next to them, and can be difficult to remove from some surfaces (such as pots). It can, however, cause sooty mold, which makes the leaves look like they are covered in black soot. Honeydew itself is not directly harmful to plants, but can attract ants, which may protect harmful scale or aphids. It’s still quite sugary (which is why ants love it) which is why it’s so sticky. As they suck the sap out of your plant, they digest it and excrete it. The sticky ‘sap’ on your citrus leaves is likely honeydew, made by sap-feeding pests like aphids and scale insects.
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