Aphids on Citrus: Uninvited Guests on New Growth

Aphids and Fresh Citrus Growth: Here We Go Again

I was taking my usual morning stroll through the garden today when I noticed something wonderful — fresh new growth on my citrus trees. Those tender young leaves were practically glowing in the sunlight.

Then I looked a little closer… and there they were. Aphids. Tiny green and black bodies clustered all over the new shoots.

If you grow citrus, you’ve probably seen this movie before. There’s a reason aphids always seem to show up right when your trees are looking their best.

                A closer look at that ‘beautiful new growth’ — aphids wasting no time moving in.                                                                                 Credit: Shamela Rambadan

Why Aphids Love New Growth

Aphids are drawn to soft, new leaves like kids to an ice cream truck. That fresh growth is easy for them to pierce, and it’s full of the sugary sap they love. A flush of new citrus growth is basically an open buffet.

The good news? A few aphids won’t kill your tree.
The bad news? They multiply fast — really fast — and can weaken new growth, curl leaves, and leave behind that sticky honeydew that attracts ants and sooty mold.

    

                                            Soft new citrus growth = prime real estate for aphids.

🌿 Aphids on Citrus: At a Glance

Where they show up:
Tender new growth and soft young leaves

What they look like:
Tiny green or black insects clustered on shoots and leaf undersides

Why they’re there:
New growth is soft, juicy, and full of sugary sap — aphid heaven

Signs to watch for:

• Curled or distorted leaves

• Sticky residue (honeydew)

• Ants hanging around like they’ve been invited

What works for me:

• Strong spray of water to knock them off

• Letting beneficial insects do their thing

• Mild soap spray for heavier infestations

• Neem oil if they’re being extra stubborn

When to act:
A few aphids? Don’t panic.
Lots of aphids, curling leaves, or ants everywhere? Time to step in.

What I Do About Them

My first line of defense is always the simplest: a strong spray from the garden hose. Aphids are soft-bodied and surprisingly fragile. If I catch them early, a good blast every few days usually keeps things under control.

Next, I look for the good guys. Ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverfly larvae are nature’s aphid patrol. If I spot them, I back off and let them handle business. Sometimes the best pest control is a little patience.

                        Ladybird Beetles: Nature’s Aphid Control- these good guys started to move in

Adult lacewing insect                        Credit: Egor Kamelev from Pexels.com

If the infestation is heavier, I mix up a simple soap spray — just a few drops of dish soap in water. I spray it directly on the aphids in the early morning or evening. The soap breaks down their coating and they dry out. After a few hours, I rinse the leaves to be safe.

For stubborn cases, neem oil does the trick. It disrupts the aphids’ life cycle and is gentler on beneficial insects than harsher options.

When to Worry (and When Not To)

Here’s what experience has taught me: a few aphids aren’t worth losing sleep over. But if leaves are curling, everything feels sticky, or ants are marching up and down the tree like they own the place, it’s time to step in.

The key is regular checks during growth periods. Catch aphids early and dealing with them is quick and painless.

                                                    This is when I stop watching and start spraying.

Final Thoughts

Aphids are just part of gardening life — especially when you grow citrus. With a watchful eye and a few simple, natural remedies, you can keep them from ruining those beautiful new leaves.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a garden hose and some very small tenants to evict. 🚿🐜🍊

Happy Gardening,

The Grey-Haired Gardener