I have several mealy bugs (?) on my lemon tree. I have used insecticide soap and washed all of them off once every other week. I have also used a hard core bug killing spray and mixed it in w/ the soil. However, they return a few days later, leaving honeydew stickiness on the leaves and I see several on every leaf. What should I do?
Insecticide Soap sprays has some advantages, especially for hobby growers and home owners. No professional citrus grower would ever consider using insecticidal soaps, because of their limited success rate. The number one "insecticide" treatment used in the citrus world, certainly by all commercial citrus growers, and by a high number of hobbyist are Horticultural Oils. Horticulture oils, such as UltraFine and Volk oil are 100% NON toxic, and completely and totally safe. Horticulture Oils controls, aphids, scale, and mealy bugs, which are the tree big invaders on citrus. You can find UltraFine at most any nursery, or Home Depot. Make a 1 percent spray (1% oil and 99% water) and spray the tree in the LATE AFTERNOON. Do not spray a citrus tree during the heat of the day. Spray both the upper and lower surfaces of the foliage and crevices of the branches. - Millet
