No,ants aren't the culprit, Toni. Do you have snails? Look for snail trails. If you could snap a pic of the affected leaves, we might be able to help narrow down the possibilities. Imidicloprid should get rid of the pest in any event.

Patty S.

Hi Patty. No snails either. I'll have to snap a pic of the leaves.

Is Imidicloprid a chemical? Patty, I can't use chemials. One reason, I have birds, so can't take the chance. Thanks, Toni

hose it down with soapy water.

Hi Patty. No snails either. I'll have to snap a pic of the leaves.

Is Imidicloprid a chemical? Patty, I can't use chemials. One reason, I have birds, so can't take the chance. Thanks, Toni

Toni...yes, imidicloprid is a systemic chemical that is absorbed by the plant's roots and translocated throughout the system of the plant, including to the nectar and pollen. Its use has begun to decline as more and more evidence is gathered about serious pest resistance to this and other pesticides in the same class. It is well documented that spider mite populations often explode after an application.

To come up with the best solution for your plant, you'll really have to ferret out the culprit. If this plant were growing outside, I'd suspect caterpillars. They can hide pretty darned well! Have you gone on a search mission after the lights are out...with a flashlight?

One of these days, you should read up on Neem oil and learn to accept it as a safe product to use around your birds, your dogs, and your family. I prefer the smell of cold- pressed Neem to fish oil, anytime! ;-) Anyway, Neem can reduce the populations of both chewing AND sucking pests (like mites, scale, aphids, etc.)

Toni!

First off that is one beauty of a tree! Great job with it and the size, my goodness, how in the world do you lug that thing with your knees?

I have found the culprit for mine and it was none of the above. In fact, they are hardly ever seen eating a thing unless you catch them in the act, right about sunrise.

Earwigs! Yup! They are already active, and some have been seen in my greenhouse all winter. They put so many holes in my leaves, ate the edges way back that I was frustrated. I have no idea what to do for them. Almost everybody has them in their yard by the ton and especially now in the much warmer weather, You wouldn't believe the tons of earwigs I would find when I use to landscape. They use to devour everyone's Hosta plants and things.

What kind of product will kill them without harming the other beneficial insect around them? Therefore, I let them have their way.
I am trying to come up with a plan that will prevent them from ever crawling up the pots in the first place and we''l see what that is.

Good luck my friend. You certainly have some real nice tasty plants there! Those litter buggers, eating your trees while you sleep away. Pretty smart, right?

Mike:-)))))

Hi Toni, What a pretty citrus tree!! I'm sorry about the chewed up leaves...I deal with CLM non stop so I know how you feel when you see beautiful leaves attacked.

Hey Mike, great job finding out what is chewing on those leaves, I would have never guessed Earwigs!! Crazy...

Good luck Toni. Nice to see you its been a while :o)

Morning,

Don't know why my post to Patty came up twice..

Houston, I spray leaves w/soapy water, 'plus other ingredients' once a month, mist, and hose w/plain water every wk or so. Manderin is due for another hosing.

Rhizo, I believe you're right. Is Neem applied to leaves or soil? I've never seen it for sale here, so will have to order online.

LOL Rhizo, you know me...I don't like chemicals..So imidicloprid is out.
Even if it wasn't for birds/dog/iguana, 'Sam is no longer with us,' I couldn't eat fruit soaked in chemicals. I know store-bought fruit is sprayed, but what option do we consumers have?

Thanks Mike..The Manderin is my favorite. An online friend gave me the citrus years ago. Now the leaves are chewed. Always something.

Mike, are you saying your Citrus have/had Earwigs? When you water do they crawl up on top of the soil?? Is that how you see/saw them?

Three or more years ago I'd have agreed the culprits were earwigs, but since the ant population multiplied, '110%,' we haven't seen an earwig since..And believe me, earwigs were everywhere. Under saucers, tables, even below the outside bird feeder. I really believe ants chased earwigs away..lol. When we moved here, the SW burbs were known for earwig infestation. Our newspaper even covered articles about those creatures.

Mike, you asked how I lift the pot. Very carefully. lol. I have a dolly so sometimes I slide plants on the dolly, then roll outside.
During winter, except for rotating, it stays in place. Actually, my Jade weighs a LOT more than the Manderin.

Pug, HI!!! Yes, it's been too long since we've talked. Hope you and your family are well. Max, too, of course. :)

Closeups bites/holes.

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Thanks to all. Toni

Toni! That is a Manderine! I LOVE it..I have yet to get me one of those...You always have a plant I want.lol

Once I get a chance to take pics of my trees being attacked by earwigs, I will share with you.
I am almost certain Earwigs. If you see just one around your parts, then you are in trouble, and I don't care how many ants you have.
It just might be possible that you would have more ants than you are already dealing with if it were not for those Earwigs. I have seen them attack my ants.

I NEVER see them foraging on my trees, but I did catch them one day at the crack of dawn all over my orange tree.
Toni, they crawl up from the ground to the pots to the trees! They hide under the leaves.
I never see them come out of the mix itself, but surrounding hiding spots is where they hang out.

The only trees that were Earwig free, were the ones that I kept on the pavement, surrounded by pavement, lifted off the pavement. Get it?lol

It seems that as soon as I showed up, they found a way to run pretty fast.

What can one do to control these bugs? They are a complete royal pain in the a..!

Once again, such a beautiful tree!

Mike

Mike, as soon as it's warm enough, my Manderin will be taken out of its pot, inspected, and if needed, placed in a larger container.

Do you know if EW's hide in-between roots? In other words, once the rootball is out of its pot, will I see these bugs running around, YUCK, or will they hide deeper in roots?

Guess that means roots will need a thorough hosing. I just dont' want these creepy-crawlers jumping on me! lol.

You're lucky you have a cement area you can summer plants.
The only cement in our yard is the walk which is about 4' wide, runs from the back door, 'house,' to the alley..On either side of the walk is grass, or what's supposed to be grass..lol.

I'm not usually up at the crack of dawn, especially for the sole purpose of hunting insects. EEEKKK!

You asked if there was something that controled EW's.

Remember I said EW's were a major problem here?
I found out there is a chemical exterminators use..I don't know if the 'poison' kills or keeps EW's away.

But, you know I don't use chemicals, so that's out..if EW's are a big problem in your area, and you don't mind chemicals, perhaps you should phone an exterminator.

Otherwise, I don't know how to rid EW's, their life span, how often females give birth/lay eggs, or what they do during winter months, unless they all move to our plants. lol.

Thanks Mike. It's something to go on.

BTW, you said, if it wasn't for EW's, the ant population would be much higher.

Would leaving EW's alone be a better choice than ridding them? I mean, if they kill ants, lessen their population, isn't that a plus? Thanks, Toni

Toni!

Just the mere look at an Earwig is disgusting..lol

I will paste a google search here for you that I too can learn from on how to get rid of them without chemicals. I am going to be very prepared this time around!

I am not sure if in general they kill ants, I was just joking, but I did catch a few here and there eating on a dead ant! It makes me wonder....

Good luck in your search, or should I say struggle with these little pests. Did you know that they even get into your home if not carteful? lol Ok, enough with that.lol

Mike:-)))

Could be earwigs, could even be grasshoppers. Imidicloprid will take care of certain insects, and what rhizo said is true, there is some resistance developing with the use of imdicloprid. Same with Spinosad, which is considered organic (and indicated for earwigs). Neither will harm your birds. Sluggo Plus will take care of snails and earwigs and it's granular. Not sure if there is just a straight granualar Spinosad product - most likely - and it will take care of the earwigs for you, if that's the culprit. Look underneath the pot, if you have earwigs, they will hide under the pot, or under dead leaves sitting inside the pot. Check in the evening and early in the morning for bugs. Usually that's the best time to catch them doing their dirty deed.

Patty S.

Here you go Toni, and anyone else that wants to try to rid these critters:-)

Hell Patty. I hope you are having a safe and happy day. I can't wait to see updated pics of your trees:-)

Mike

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