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How to stop gall wasp on lemon tree?

Isobel
Amassing an Audience

How to stop gall wasp on lemon tree?

CitrusGallWasp.jpg

Hi everyone.

 

We have gall wasp in our lemon tree. We’ve been repeatedly cutting it out over the years but it keeps coming back! :unhappy: I just want to let my poor tree grow!! Do those yellow pest strips actually work? Or anything else other than severe pruning?

 

Keen to hear everyone's tips. Thanks.

 

Jason
Community Manager
Community Manager

Re: Gall wasp on lemon tree

Hi @Isobel,

 

I’ve chatted to horticulturists about this problem as we have had difficulties with the wasps too and they recommended the pest strips. They are also inexpensive so certainly worth a try. They are a lot less invasive than harsh pruning.

 

I am interested to hear other people's experiences. 

 

Jason

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bluebec
Building a Reputation

Re: Gall wasp on lemon tree

Hi @Isobel

 

Citrus Gall Wasp is a big problem in Melbourne (and Australia).  They keep coming back because you'll have neighbours somewhere with the same problem - and they may or may not be addressing it.

 

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-04/save-our-citrus-group-campaigns-to-rescue-melbourne-lemon-tree...

 

I'd recommend talking to your neighbours and getting them to talk to their neighbours and so on so you can try and eradicate it from a wider area.

Joker
Having an Impact

Re: Gall wasp on lemon tree

I've given up cutting it out, pruning seemed to be hurting the tree too much and we went years without getting any fruit. The trees seem to cope OK now.

 

Joe

Eric
Cultivating a Following

Re: Gall wasp on lemon tree

The yellow strips seemed to help a lot for my little trees.  I also used a scalpel and chopped off any I saw if it was still a small lump.

timjeffries
Making a Splash

Re: Gall wasp on lemon tree

Definitely use the strips. You must also cut it out though. If you leave it the new ones hatch and it keeps creating the problem. Need a neighbourhood campaign to really get rid of it. :unhappy:

Isobel
Amassing an Audience

Re: Gall wasp on lemon tree

I've finally got around to getting some strips. Will let you know how I go with them.

 

Thanks for the advice. 

RosieW
Having an Impact

Re: Gall wasp on lemon tree

I slice the top of a gall and the eggs die, but that only works if I keep at it. I have never heard of those yellow strips - thanks going to try them. 

Isobel
Amassing an Audience

Re: Gall wasp on lemon tree

How's everyones citrus going? I'm perservering with both the yellow strips and cutting it out, but without the heavy pruning of previous years as I want as much fruit and growth as possible. Still an ongoing battle! 

Stephen-H
Building a Reputation

Re: Gall wasp on lemon tree

Hi @Isobel, I worked with an Entomologist a few years ago on a citrus gall wasp (CGW) trial with interesting results. The trials are still ongoing and are directed to the citrus industry so have chemical levels in fruit in mind for export.
A product called Surround Koalin Clay was trialed on moderate to heavy infested trees with good results and a number of systemic chemicals were sprayed and also applied via drip, with ranging results.
https://www.citrusaustralia.com.au/news/latest-news/protective-spray-reduces-gall-wasp
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/340609/citrus-gall-wasp-in-southern-australia...
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/citrus/content/insects-diseases-disorders-and-bi...
Parasitic wasps were also released with good results long term.
Confidor Guard was the the most outstanding preformerthrough the drippers. I am not sure what the outcome of the application to the APVMA for licence to use it on citrus is though.
Guard is expensive and the smallest container is 5lt. I have used Confidor (not Guard) this year at 16ml per tree watered into the ground in late october and have noticed that most of the galls are still intact

http://horticulture.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Strategies-to-manage-citrus-gall-wasp-%E2%80%9...
This page shows the results of the trial while i was involved
In the Sunraysia Lemon trial the reduction of galls with the Confidor Guard was visually noticable from one year to the next.
Hope this helps

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