Q: I have a mature Meyer lemon tree but every winter when I bring it inside, it gets those awful mites. I spray it with an organic soap, but it is almost impossible to get rid of those suckers.

A: Spider mites are a common pest of indoor citrus plants. On a warm day, take your plant outside and blast the leaves and stems with a strong stream of water. This washes off many of the creatures. Begin spraying monthly with horticultural oil, like neem oil, to suffocate them. This should give better results than using insecticidal soap.