How can you treat an indoor lemon plant for ticks? - briefly
Remove visible mites with a soft brush, then spray the plant with a horticultural oil diluted per label directions, ensuring thorough coverage of leaves and stems. Maintain low humidity, inspect weekly, and repeat the oil treatment if any «ticks» reappear.
How can you treat an indoor lemon plant for ticks? - in detail
Ticks on a potted lemon tree require immediate action to prevent damage to foliage and fruit. Begin by isolating the plant from other indoor specimens to contain the infestation. Inspect every leaf, stem, and soil surface, noting the exact locations of the parasites.
Remove visible individuals with a soft brush or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Dispose of the brush or swab after each use to avoid cross‑contamination.
Apply a systemic or contact treatment according to the following options:
- Horticultural oil, diluted to the manufacturer’s recommended concentration, sprayed on the undersides of leaves and around the soil rim.
- Neem‑based product, applied in two‑week intervals, targeting both adult ticks and their eggs.
- Insecticidal soap, formulated for citrus, administered until runoff, ensuring thorough coverage of stems and leaf axils.
- Pyrethrin spray, used sparingly to avoid phytotoxicity, reserved for severe outbreaks.
Maintain environmental conditions unfavorable to ticks: lower humidity to 40‑50 % relative, increase air circulation with a small fan, and avoid excess watering that creates a moist substrate. Clean the pot’s exterior and surrounding area with a mild detergent solution, then rinse and dry.
Monitor the plant weekly for at least six weeks. Re‑apply the chosen treatment if new activity is observed, and discontinue use of any product that induces leaf discoloration or drop. Persistent absence of ticks after the monitoring period indicates successful eradication.