Question
QUESTION: Hi. How can I make a spray to deter/kill these sap sucking insects ?
It is a very large tree, in Sydney, Australia.
White/Pest oil is basically petroleum oil.
Can I spray petrol onto the lemon tree ?
Will that hurt it ?
What about soapy(dishwashing detergent) water, and something mixed in ?
Vegetable oil?
Thanks.


ANSWER: Hi Joshua, I would not spray anything with petroleum, it is polluting.  Petroleum is basically poison, it not only kills the pests it also kill the beneficial bugs as well.  Try this
Finely chop 10-15 garlic cloves and soak in 1 pint of mineral oil for 24 hours.  Strain and spray as is, or dilute with water and add a few drops of soap.  Keep in mind you may need to re-apply if it rains and the bugs come back.  I use 100 percent pure Neem Oil, it absorbs in the leaf, alters the flavor of the leaf and the bugs go elsewhere.  It is organic and will not hurt your fruit, trees, or you.   kathy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: OK, thanks!
Doesn't petrol/gasoline evaporate anyway?
What beneficial bugs should/might there be, on a lemon tree?
Which particular mineral oil should I use ?
Will vegetable oil work?
Should I boil it to help infuse the garlic into the oil?
So these bugs don't like that, and will leave?
Is the soap to emulsify the oil & water?
Can the Neem oil be diluted too, to make it cover more of the tree? If so, how?
Will it alter the flavour of the fruit too?
Is it expensive?
What kind of shops sell it?

Thanks!


ANSWER: Doesn't petrol/gasoline evaporate anyway? BUT THE RESIDUE IS LEFT, I DO NOT EVEN USE MAKE UP AS IT HAS PETROL IN IT.

What beneficial bugs should/might there be, on a lemon tree? LADY BUGS WOULD GO AFTER PESTS ON ANY PLANT, LADY BUGS EAT BUGS,

Which particular mineral oil should I use ? ANY MINERAL OIL WOULD DO

Will vegetable oil work? VEGETABLE OIL WOULD SMOTHER EVERYTHING

Should I boil it to help infuse the garlic into the oil? NO NEED TO

So these bugs don't like that, and will leave?  THEY SHOULD LEAVE OR YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO TO SOMETHING ELSE.  THE FORMULA COMES FROM  RODALES ORGANIC GARDENING BOOK THEY ARE ORGANIC COMPANY

Is the soap to emulsify the oil & water? YES
Can the Neem oil be diluted too, to make it cover more of the tree? If so, how? NEEM OIL IS DILUTED AND THEN A DASH OF DETERGENT ADDED TO BLEND THE TWO TOGETHER IT WILL NOT WASH OFF LIKE THE OTHER FORMULA.

Will it alter the flavour of the fruit too? NO IT WILL NOT

Is it expensive?  A PINT SHOULD RUN ABOUT 10 AND A QUART AROUND 30, JUST TYPE IN PURE NEEM OIL AND CHECK PRICES ON THE WEB

What kind of shops sell it? ORGANIC NURSERY, ETC.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your help!
I had a look at baby oil, and found one that's clear, and only has 2 ingredients: mineral oil & fragrance.
That should do the trick, right?
500mL each bottle. I bought 2, plus 2 bulbs of garlic. Will try it, then, add some Neem oil when I buy that.
Dilute the garlic + mineral oil mixture in water, and add detergent.
What ratio of oil to water ?
1:5 ??
Another citrus tree has thousands of black/brown aphids. And the ants that go with them.
It also has a case of black powdery stuff (sooty mould?) on the leaves.
Will the above mixture get rid of those too ?

There is a tree, which looks like a lemon tree, with thorns, and apparently, hasn't borne any fruit!
What could be up with that?
Looks very lush, and dark green (the leaves).

Thanks again.
-Joshua

Answer
Hi Joshua... I would dilute about 1/3 cup to a gallon of water then a good squirt of dish soap.

It should take care of the other problems with the aphids.  The black sooty stuff it will help also, but keep in mind you  would have to  re apply after it rains to protect as with the neem oil it will not wash off. www.dyna-gro.com/pureneem.htm   that is the manufacturer and they may ship... if not that is the product you want.  

I have a feeling that you do not water enough which water makes flowers and blooms.  lemon trees are everbearing...