Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program Update
Tips for Caring for Your Backyard Citrus Tree
Though your citrus tree may not be producing a lot of fruit during the summer months, it’s still important to check your citrus tree for the Asian citrus psyllid, which can carry a deadly and incurable citrus tree disease called Huanglongbing. HLB has already been found in urban areas of Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties, and it is a threat to California’s iconic citrus.
Follow these steps while tending to your citrus tree:
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Inspect your tree for the Asian citrus psyllid. The pest is most noticeable when new leaves are growing on the tips of the branches.
- Adult Asian citrus psyllids are small, brown pests that feed on citrus leaves with their body at a 45-degree angle.
- Young Asian citrus psyllids, called nymphs, produce a white, waxy substance to direct honeydew away from their bodies.
- If you think you have found the Asian citrus psyllid, report your findings to the California Department of Food and Agriculture at 800-491-1899.
- Don’t move citrus fruit or plant materials off of your property, as this may help the Asian citrus psyllid spread.
- Ask your local nursery about treatment options to help protect your trees from the Asian citrus psyllid.
For photos of the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB symptoms, click here to view the photos.
Recent Media Coverage
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Los Angeles Daily News – May 27, 2021
Southern California travelers warned not to transport backyard citrus fruit -
Bakersfield Californian – May 25, 2021
Citrus officials urge tree owners to leave their fruit at home -
The Long Beach Press-Telegram – April 26, 2021
Citrus tree disease found in Long Beach -
KEYT – March 18, 2021
Wasps being used to help protect local orchards from deadly citrus disease -
The Press-Enterprise – Feb. 12, 2021
Deadly citrus tree disease found in Moreno Valley; citrus quarantine expanded -
The Mercury News – Jan. 18, 2021
Tiny helpful wasps are coming to save your citrus -
Irvine Community News and Views – Jan. 4, 20201
Citrus Tree Disease Detected in Irvine -
The Desert Review – Dec. 30, 2020
Beneficial wasp introduced to Imperial Valley to combat HLB -
KPBS – Dec. 23, 2020
Citrus Tree-Killing Bacteria Found on Insects For First Time in San Diego County -
The Bakersfield Californian - Nov. 2, 2020
COMMUNITY VOICES: Spike in pest detections threatens Kern County’s citrus; residents and growers must gear up for the fight -
The Bakersfield Californian - Oct. 30, 2020
Wasps deployed in fight against citrus pest -
Daily Bulletin - Oct. 01, 2020
Citrus disease infects 5 trees in Rancho Cucamonga for first time -
NBC San Diego - Sept. 18, 2020
Tiny Wasps Being Released Across San Diego… For Good Reason -
CBS Los Angeles - Sept. 11, 2020
‘Beneficial Wasps’ Released Across Southern California To Prey On Pest Spreading Disease To Citrus Trees -
Floral Park Neighborhood Gazette - April 20, 2020
Spring Gardening During Stay-at-Home -
San Diego Union-Tribune - April 16, 2020
Citrus Tree HLB Disease Found Close to San Diego -
Pasadena Now - March 10, 2020
Workshop on Citrus Quarantine Scheduled for Saturday -
Redlands Daily Facts - Feb. 21, 2020
Citrus Disease Quarantine Hits Redlands and its Beloved Groves -
Inland Empire Community News - Feb. 2, 2020
Deadly Citrus Tree Disease Detected in Colton
Infographics
- California Citrus is at Critical Risk
- Fruit Donation Tips and Best Practices
- Where is HLB Heat Map (as of Jan. 28, 2020)
- History of HLB Timeline (as of January 2020)
- Popular Citrus Guide
- What to Do When an Agricultural Official visits your property
- What You Can Do to Help Save California Citrus
- Spring Gardening Tips
- What Do Your Tree Tags Mean?
Recent Press Releases
- Dec. 20, 2019 – La detección de un patógeno que causa el enverdecimiento de los cítricos o Huanglongbing (HLB) en el Condado de Riverside, activa una expansión de la cuarentena en partes de los condados de Riverside, Orange y San Bernardino
- Dec. 20, 2019 – Huanglongbing Detection in Riverside County Expands Quarantine in Portions of Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino Counties
- Nov. 22, 2019 – Detection of Citrus Disease Huanglongbing Triggers Quarantine Expansion in Portions of San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties
Media Assets
For press inquiries, contact:
Price Adams
Nuffer, Smith, Tucker
619-296-0605
pa@nstpr.com
High-resolution photos of Asian citrus psyllids at various life stages and symptoms of Huanglongbing can be downloaded at the links below. Click here to download all photos.
All information, images and photos are provided by the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program for editorial use by press agencies, journalists and students in connection with broadcast media, newspapers, news magazines, trade publication and educational articles about the Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing. Any other use of these materials is strictly prohibited. Under no circumstances may these materials be used for personal or commercial purposes.