Pests can kill your lemon tree very quickly. Our guide reveals what helps naturally.
In addition to the usual fruit trees and bushes, more and more exotic fruits are finding their way into our gardens. Citrus plants are particularly popular because they convey a touch of Mediterranean vacation. But what grows without problems in southern countries often has a hard time in our country.
If you still don't want to do without a lemon tree, a certain amount of care is required. Even though the plants are grown in Germany, they are still sensitive to weather and weather conditions. It is therefore hardly surprising that pests also like to settle easily on the lemon tree. If something like this happens to you, you must act before the entire plant is damaged. We summarize the two most common lemon tree pests here in our guide and give tips on how to get rid of the "pests".
Scab bugs on the lemon tree
Scales are one of the most common "diseases" that can affect lemon trees. The scale insects suck themselves on the leaves and suck them out, which ultimately affects growth. Scale insects often appear when the lemon tree has spent the winter in the house or apartment. The temperature change makes it easy for the scale insects, because it's just too warm inside. In addition, the lemon tree needs light. You can find even more tips on how to overwinter the lemon tree properly at www.kistengruen.de. In the event of an infestation, check the location first. Is the lemon tree in the garden or on the terrace in a very shady place?
Recognizing scale insects on lemon trees
It is possible to see scale insects with the naked eye. However, you have to look very closely to spot the tiny, oval scale insects. They are brownish in color and leave a sticky layer on the leaves of the lemon tree. This has to do with the sugar that the scale insects excrete on their way through the citrus plant. The sticky mass in turn attracts ants. If your lemon tree is infested with ants,this can also be a sign of scale insects.
Fighting scale insects on the lemon tree
There are certainly chemical agents on the market that can be used to combat scale insects on lemon trees. But I recommend staying away from it. The lemons themselves are also attacked by the chemicals, which cannot be in your interest. First try to get rid of the pest with simple home remedies.
- Water and brush
Lay the lemon tree on its side or cover the soil in the bucket with foil to prevent the rinsed scale insects from getting into the soil can reach. Now take a watering can or a water hose and simply spray off the small labels. If the leaves do not come off easily, use a toothbrush or sponge to help. You have to repeat this procedure on the following days, unfortunately one brushing is not enough to get rid of all scale insects at once. - Soapsuds
Soapsuds are also a natural and easy-to-prepare remedy for scale insects on lemon trees. The soapy mass settles in the scale insects' airways until they suffocate. To make the lye, use a teaspoon of curd soap in a liter of water. Now spray the leaves and stems with the lye. Leave everything to act (also overnight) and rinse off the suds the next day. - Canola Oil
If you don't have a way to shower the lemon tree, treating it with canola oil is a better method. However, you should cover your subfloor to catch any oil that runs down. Now make a solution of 30 percent canola oil and 70 percent water and spray it over the entire plant. Please do not use tea tree oil, your lemon tree cannot tolerate it!
A little extra tip: Ladybugs love scale insects! If the little beetles settle on your lemon tree, leave them alone. Are your plants affected by powdery mildew? The cute beetles also help against this. (Source: www.livona.de)
Spider mites on the lemon tree
Spider mites act in a similar way to scale insects, because they also suck the sap from the leaves of the lemon tree. Most of the infestation is found on the lower sides of the leaves. Spider mites love it warm, so lemon trees that are kept as houseplants are more often attacked. According to www.spinnmilben.net, the small pests multiply fastest at temperatures between 22 and 28 degrees.If the lemon tree is in a room with dry heating air, think about a change of location.
Recognizing spider mites on lemon trees
If your lemon tree has small, silver spots on its leaves, it can be a sign of spider mite infestation. The longer the pests stay on the plant, the darker, i.e. grayer, the spots become. A spider structure is formed, similar to a spider's web, only finer. In the worst case, the leaves will turn yellow and dry up.
Fighting spider mites on the lemon tree
Spider mites can be very stubborn and also infest the soil of the potted plant. Here repotting helps as a first measure. Even if you are annoyed by the pest infestation, avoid chemical agents!
- Ants against spider mites
Admittedly, you don't want ants in your home, so let's go outside with the lemon tree. Here you simply put ants on the leaves, or place your citrus plant near an anthill and let nature take its course. The ants attack the spider mites because the tiny creatures are exactly their prey scheme. - Water from the spray bottle
This method will no longer be sufficient in the case of a heavy infestation, but if you discover the first spider mites in good time, try using a water shower. Spray the lemon tree completely with water and repeat this action on several subsequent days. - Foil packaging
As mentioned above, spider mites like it dry and warm. So to fight them all you have to do is create artificial moisture. To do this, wrap the lemon tree completely in cling film (or other translucent film). Tie top and bottom. Your foil package now works like a kind of greenhouse. Moisture forms which does not harm the plant, but does harm the spider mites.