Q&A – There are ants and something else on my lemon tree. How do I get rid of them?
Question:
There are ants and something else on my lemon tree. How do I get rid of them?
Answer:
Your lemon tree has scale which is an insect that is sucking the juices out of the tree. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says scale is hard to control especially on an indoor plant or a tree with fruit you want to eat. She recommends trying to rub off the scale with a cloth and alcohol. She also says you can apply neem oil to suffocate the scale. She says to continue to do this until you don’t see any more scales. Also, if you notice them again, immediately rub them off. The ants are only there because of the scales. They are collecting the honeydew the scales secrete as they feed on the tree.
Related Videos:
Scale
Horticultural Oils
Related Resources:
Horticultural Oils – What a Gardener Needs to Know
What should neem be used for on plants?
There are ants and something else on my lemon tree. How do I get rid of them?
Answer:
Your lemon tree has scale which is an insect that is sucking the juices out of the tree. University of Memphis Director of Landscape Joellen Dimond says scale is hard to control especially on an indoor plant or a tree with fruit you want to eat. She recommends trying to rub off the scale with a cloth and alcohol. She also says you can apply neem oil to suffocate the scale. She says to continue to do this until you don’t see any more scales. Also, if you notice them again, immediately rub them off. The ants are only there because of the scales. They are collecting the honeydew the scales secrete as they feed on the tree.
Related Videos:
Scale
Horticultural Oils
Related Resources:
Horticultural Oils – What a Gardener Needs to Know
What should neem be used for on plants?