Indoor Orange Tree Spider Mites and Leafminer: Post-Treatment Monitoring

Current Status

Sheila's multi-year indoor orange: dry curling leaves, spidery webs on branches. Sprayed insecticide, then washed with soapy water.

Assessment

• Problem likely addressed by treatments so far
• Dry/curling leaves: Possibly citrus leafminer (check undersides for "railroad tracks")
• Leafminer seasonal: Dormant in cold, returns in summer
• New growth will show if treatment worked

Monitoring Plan

• Watch new growth for clean leaves
• Leafminer "sleeps" in winter → spring flush should be clean
• Summer return expected — prepare neem oil
• Webs on branches: insecticide should have helped

Neem Oil Recommendation

For ongoing protection, Kathy's standard: Pure Neem Oil (Dyna-Gro) — non-washing, builds residual protection, multi-action.