Lemon Tree Insect Pests
Some lemon tree pests are insects that affect most of the plants in your garden. Aphids are a good example. Masses of these small insects appear with the new, green foliage in springtime. They can damage young trees if not controlled by natural predators such as the ladybug. Bringing in ladybugs to control aphids is a good, organic option for treatment. If the leaves of your lemon tree curl and you see little passageways carved into the foliage, your lemon tree pests may include the citrus leaf miner. True to its name, a leaf miner mines passageways through the outer layer of leaves to feed on the soft tissue beneath. These lemon tree insect pests can weaken a young tree, but make little difference to a mature, established tree. Natural predators are a big help in ridding the lemon tree of these insects. If you have a lot of lemon trees attacked, you can get these lemon tree pests by introducing another predator, the parasitoid wasp.
Treating Pests of Lemon Trees
You can sometimes get rid of insects on lemon trees by spraying the trees frequently with oil sprays. This treatment can be very effective for the Asian citrus psyllid. These small lemon tree insect pests cause damage to new growth as they feed, due to their toxic saliva. Oil sprays do not have the downsides of toxic pesticides, yet prove effective against these insects. Horticultural oil sprays are also effective in treating pests of lemon trees known as citrus rust mites. These are insects that affect lemons, for the mites attack immature fruit. They can also attack foliage and leaves in some cultivars. Repeated oil sprays will get rid of insects on lemon trees.
