Are Ants Bad For Lemon Trees?
Wouterants aren’t harmful to citrus trees, but they can be a problem. These insects are sap-sucking insects, which means they produce a sticky substance called honeydew. Honeydew is also high in sugar, which is a great food source for ants. However, it can spread disease.
There are several ways to control ants on your lemon tree. The first step is to identify the pest. This will be important for safe control.
Some common ants on citrus trees are mealybugs. These insects look like tiny bits of cotton wool, and they tend to be more prevalent along the stems and leaves. However, ants can also be found in other parts of the tree.
To control ants on lemon trees, you can use neem oil as an insecticide. Neem oil is an organic substance that is safe for pollinators. It can be applied as a spray, wiper, or as an oil. Neem oil works by smothering scale insects at all stages of their life cycle.
Other methods include applying a pest-repelling companion plant, chalk, or a high-pressure water spray. If you use the high-pressure water spray, you can kill most of the ants on your lemon tree.
Alternatively, you can use essential oils. Essential oils are naturally deterrents to ants. They are highly fragrant and last much longer than other pest-deterrent materials. You can spray essential oils on lemon trees or place them around the tree to deter ants.
Using insecticides isn’t a good option, as they will kill beneficial insects. The University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program advises against using insecticide soap on adults.
