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Best Practices to Protect Your Citrus

Follow these best practices to protect your citrus trees against the Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing and limit the spread of the pest and disease to protect the community’s citrus.

Inspect
Trees
Control
Pests
Don’t Move
Citrus
Buy
Local
Buy Disease-
Free Budwood
Double
Bag
Harvest
Properly
Consider
Removing
  • Inspect Trees: Inspect citrus trees for the Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing monthly, and whenever watering, spraying, pruning or tending trees. If you spot the pest or disease, call: 800-491-1899. Psyllids are most noticeable on new leaves growing on the tips of branches.
  • Control Pests: As part of your tree care, visit your local nursery or garden center to get advice on products that can help protect your citrus tree from pests. Learn more about product recommendations from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
  • Don't Move Citrus: Do not move citrus plants, foliage or fruit into or out of your area, and especially across state or international borders. This could unknowingly spread the pest and disease.
  • Buy Local: When planting a new citrus tree, get your tree from a reputable, licensed nursery in your local area.
  • Buy Disease-Free Budwood: When grafting citrus trees, only use registered budwood that comes with source documentation, such as the budwood offered through the Citrus Clonal Protection Program.
  • Double Bag: Be sure to dry out citrus tree clippings or double bag them before removing the plant material from the property.
  • Harvest Properly: Remove the stems and leaves, and wash the citrus fruit thoroughly before sharing.
  • Consider Removing: Consider removing unwanted or uncared for citrus trees so they do not become a host to the pest or disease.

Cooperate with Agriculture Officials

If the Asian citrus psyllid or Huanglongbing have been found near your property, agriculture officials may be in your community looking for the pest and disease to protect California citrus. Learn more about what to expect from agriculture officials and why your cooperation is critical in the video below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep it local and be mindful of Huanglongbing quarantine rules and regulations and other quarantines in place throughout the state, such as invasive fruit fly quarantines. Do not move citrus into or out of Huanglongbing quarantine zones. Only share citrus fruit within your immediate area and before sharing, be sure to remove all leaves and stems and wash fruit thoroughly to eliminate the spread of the Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing.

Visit your local, reputable nursery for recommendations on products that will best protect your tree against the Asian citrus psyllid. Learn more about treatment recommendations from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

To learn more about the activities being conducted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture in your area, please call: 800-491-1899.

The University of California’s Master Gardener Program is a great resource for gardening advice and each county has a dedicated group of knowledgeable gardening experts.

Citrus fruit should not be moved into or out of the Huanglongbing quarantine area. However, different rules apply to commercial growers, fruit sellers and vendors. Contact your local California Department of Food and Agriculture office or County Agricultural Commissioner’s office for details.