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How to treat bugs in my lime tree pot?

Hi there!

I just found these bugs crawling in my lime tree pot, took a photo to find out what they are. Have one result from Google search, so just double checking with you guys to see what pesticide to use, considering it is a fruit tree.

Appreciate your help,

Kind regards,

Rosana

bug 1.jpg Bug 2.jpg

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Comments

MitchellMc

Hi @Rosana1,

Those are curl grubs, the larvae of various scarab beetles, such as Christmas beetles, African black beetles and cockchafers. You may want to review our previous discussion on Curl grubs in pot plants, where we addressed this issue in relation to citrus. We also have this article on How to control curl grubs and army worms. Our resident horticulturalist @Noelle recommends a soil drench of ecoOil or neem oil, both of which can be safely used for the treatment of edible plants.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Rosana1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/57598#Comment_57598

Thank you Mitchel and @Noelle

I read it all and bought the eco oil. We have already poured 5 litres of water/50ml eco oil. It's hard to see if it went through to the bottom of the pot, as it is a very heavy one, sitting on fake grass. Can't turn it either to check, due to weight, so was thinking of hosing again tomorrow with more water. With what frequency should we do this? Is tomorrow too soon?

Thanks again,

Rosana

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/91144#Comment_91144

Hello @Rosana1

Since you already poured 5 litres of water mixed with 50 ml eco oil into the pot, the mix will gradually work its way down through the soil profile even if you cannot see it coming through the drainage holes. With very heavy pots on fake grass, it’s often difficult to check drainage, but if the potting mix is reasonably free draining, it should eventually reach the lower root zone.

It is best not to apply another eco oil drench the very next day, as this can risk waterlogging and may also stress the plant roots. A typical frequency for eco oil soil drenches is about once every 7 to 14 days, depending on the severity of the pest issue. In between, you can water the plant normally with plain water as needed, depending on how quickly the soil dries out.

If you are unsure whether the solution has reached the bottom, you could check moisture by gently probing the soil with a bamboo skewer or long stick to see if it comes out damp. That way you do not need to move the pot.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

prasanna_k

Hi @Rosana1 - we had the same grubs and they killed one of my pot plants :-(. I got rid of the entire soil they were in, then washed the pot with hot water. I dried it, and repotted a new plant

Rosana1

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/57650#Comment_57650

Thank you prasanna_k!

I will try to save this one following instructions above, hopefully I'll be luckier than you.

Good luck with your new plant!

Cheers,

Rosana

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