Whoa that's a crazy influx! Are you saying that just happened in the last 10 days or so? I guess in Hawaii the pests are vigorous.

It looks like the ants are farming something, but I can't see the pests, only ants. You said you saw other bugs that wouldn't wash off with water? Sounds like scale, they lay flat against leaves and stems. Does that sound right?

Perfect timing, we have another thread going about how to treat with neem.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/4072962/neem-oil-feeding-not-only-as-a-foliage-spray?n=10

anyone else?

The pests are aphids. Use a harsh water spry to blast them off. Then repeat daily as needed.

Yes, that happened only within those 10 days- I definitely know this because the day before my mom flew in, I made sure that everything in the garden looked extra nice since I knew she would want to see my trees. Yes, in the 3rd pic, you can see the other pests. The ants are in the 2nd pic, but the pics were taken just seconds apart from each other at different angles of the tree. Thanks for the responses!

Funny thing about neem oil. I actually have a neem tree in my front yard. It is a mature, established tree that was with the house when we bought it. I understand the neem oil comes from the seeds and not the leaves.. bummer, otherwise I'd try an at-home recipie!

Thanks for the link, hobby

If the ants persist you may have to get a stronger insecticide. I finally had to spray around the bases of my citrus with 2 tbs malathion 55% in water treated with 1 tbs/ gal vinegar. When the ants are gone so will the white flies, aphids, and mealy bugs be gone. Be sure there are no limbs touching the ground or a fence or other tree not protected.

Wow cool you have a neem! I think they are supposed to be quite ornamental, is it pretty?

Now before we go hog wild on any systemics, friends, I think there are other gentler methods figs could still try.

I used to use cinnamon sprinkled liberally all around my bee hives- the ants usually won't go across it. It worked for me for years but for some reason this year they are undeterred, maybe it takes a few years flr them to build up a tolerance. Oh well it's dirt cheap so worth a shot right?

I have also been reading about tanglefoot, that's going to be the next thing I try. Non toxic and also cheap, check it out! It's the sticky stuff you wrap around the base of the tree.

Good luck! I have my own any problems this year.

You know first, I tried all that kinder gentler stuff including tanglefoot. The tawny crazy ants and and fire ants took turns killing off all my other benificials. Then they farmed the laundry list of bad actors noted above plus they allowed Asian citrus psyllids to take over. That is when I quit fooling around and got rid of my ant problem. And the way I did it I now have large numbers of assasin bugs and lady beatle larvae. And brown skinny wood ants coming back into my trees. Those live on citrus leaf miners. All my pests are gone and I have not sprayed any around my citrus for a year now. In the hands of an experienced person even the use of organophosphates can be safe and effective and eco- friendly. But You must make extensive notes on what you are doing and plan in advance to preclude the unintended.

Correction: I did not get rid of the leaf miners yet. But I'm working on that.

Black citrus aphids, brought by the ants. If you have ants, you will have aphids; control the ants and the problem will diminish/disappear. A good wash with the hose will go a long way to solving the problem; I would also supplement with removal by hand with the help of a stream of water.

Thank you guys. Johnmerr, do you see black citrus aphids in Guatemala?

Tantanman, thank you for the specifics!

Hobby, yes, the leaves are really pretty on the neem tree. When we were in the process of buying this house, our home inspector was excited to see it (he's the one who told me it was a neem), and he asked if it would be okay to take several leaves. He said he would use them for cooking (?!) and for tea. Interesting, but I've never actually gotten around to doing any research in what I could with them. Wouldn't it be neat if I could make my own neem spray for the pests that attack my lemon tree? It is so frustrating- I've not encountered pests on any of other fruit trees. I have: 2 avocados, 2 pomegranates, 2 mango trees, tons of bananas, several dragon fruit, and my single lemon tree.

Figs,

Yes, we have black citrus aphid here in Guatemala; but it is not a significant problem, as we diligently control ants.

Johnmerr, off topic, but I have to mention that I thought about you this weekend because we were at the market and a local vendor was selling HUGE meyers. They were so pretty. My husband (who is usually not impressed by anything) was impressed with these lemons. He asked why we didn't have one of these trees. I mentioned this on the forum before; we have a Eureka because it came with the house when we bought it and I'm attached to the tree because it is a reminder of our journey of buying this place... and not to mention that it took me months to nurse it back to health as it was just about dead. However, it was clear that my husband couldn't care less when he said "eff that, let's get these bad boys!"

Our motto is, "If life gives you lemons, pray they are Meyers". For the great majority of consumers, when they see the Meyer, they want it; when they taste it, they demand it. Lucky for you that you can get them in your local market. The large size usually indicates a well cared for tree with a relatively small crop; we have harvested Meyers that were over 1 pound; but the commercial size of mature trees in full production is 3 lemons per pound... that is what Sunkist sells for $6 or more retail.

John, I think I wold like that; a smaller crop if it means bigger lemons. I think I mentioned this before, but I know a dragon fruit farmer and he once insisted to me that the appeal behind meyers is that they are different. However, after just *looking* at these meyers over the weekend, I was floored. My mom is a professional cake decorator and she sometimes candies lemon slices for her lemon poppy desserts- she would have loved these.

Laura, are you here? You're awfully quiet for an active citrus discussion (ha ha, wink!). My question is regarding these damn ants.. have you ever seen them on any of your container citrus? My lemon tree is in the ground, but it is the ONLY tree which attracts any pests here in my yard. Since you have so many potted citrus varieties, I'm curious to whether these ants are attracted mainly to lemons, or is it all citrus (I know the name is citrus aphid, but you never know).

Oh...I had not seen your last comment ;-O. Sorry...! I have seen ants periodically, but very few. I look carefully for even the smallest sign of aphids on new growth...that is what they prefer. If I see anything, I scrape it off and then spray with neem. I do not think you would have such a problem with the tree in a container...and I would definitely try a Meyer lemon...I LOVE mine!

Laura, no, no apology! I'm sorry to have specifically called you out for a question.. but I knew you'd be the one to ask for container specific questions. Mahalo for your responses : )