How to Identify Mites on Citrus Trees

Mites on citrus trees are not altogether uncommon. Follow these steps to identify mites.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check over your citrus trees, paying close attention to plants in drier areas.

2. Notice the leaf color on the citrus trees. Leaves that have been attacked by mites will be a copper or bronze color, rather than green.

3. Randomly look at the underside of the copper or bronze leaves to determine whether mites are present. You may need a magnifying glass to see them.

4. Watch for other signs of mite presence on your citrus trees, such as a fine webbing on the undersides of leaves.

Tips & Warnings

• Spider mites feed and deposit their eggs on the bottom side of the leaf.
• Identify the specific type of mite on your citrus trees before taking action to eliminate them.
• If you see more than 5 mites per leaf with your magnifying glass, you have a definite problem with mites.