Miniature Orange Tree Spider Mites & Bay Laurel Scale

Two Common Citrus Pests: Mites on Orange, Scale on Bay

Spider Mites on Dwarf Orange

• Tiny webbing at leaf bases + curled, falling new leaves = spider mites.
• Mites suck chlorophyll → stippling, bronzing, leaf drop.
• Control: Insecticidal soap (thorough, repeat 3× at 5-day intervals) OR horticultural oil. Increase humidity—mites hate moisture.
• Systemic (imidacloprid) works but avoid if eating fruit.

Persistent Scale on Bay Laurel

• Scale females shield eggs; killing adults leaves hatchlings.
• Best: Q-tip + heavy mineral oil (or neem) rubbed on each scale. Repeat weekly × 4–6 weeks to catch successive generations.
• Systemic imidacloprid soil drench (ornamental only) gives months of control.
• Prune heavily infested branches.

Key Insight

Both pests thrive in dry, warm indoor conditions. Move plants outdoors in summer—natural predators (lady beetles, lacewings, predatory mites) will clean them up naturally.