Can I use household soap to kill these pests?

Avoid using dish soap, as it can burn the leaves. Stick to insecticidal soap or neem oil specifically formulated for plants.

Will the leaves recover after leaf miner damage?

No, the damaged leaf tissue will remain scarred. Focus on keeping the new, healthy growth free of pests.

Lemon: pests, causes and fixes

Check these first

Inspect the undersides of leaves for bumps.
Look for silvery squiggly lines on the leaf surface.
Check for sticky honeydew on the leaves or floor.

Likely causes

Citrus scale
Most likely
How to tell: You will see small brown or tan bumps on the stems and undersides of leaves that do not move. These insects suck sap and leave behind sticky residue.
What to do: Scrape off the bumps with a soft toothbrush or your fingernail. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to the entire plant every 7 days for 3 weeks.
Citrus leaf miner
Possible
How to tell: Look for winding silvery trails or tunnels inside the leaf tissue. These are caused by larvae burrowing through the leaves.
What to do: Prune away heavily infested leaves to stop the spread. Use horticultural oil on new growth to discourage moths from laying eggs.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your lemon

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

If the infestation covers more than half the leaves, the tree will struggle to photosynthesize. A few isolated bugs are manageable with consistent cleaning.

Stopping it coming back

Keep your tree healthy with proper light and water, and inspect the leaves every time you water.

Lemon: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your lemon and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Can I use household soap to kill these pests?: Avoid using dish soap, as it can burn the leaves. Stick to insecticidal soap or neem oil specifically formulated for plants.
Will the leaves recover after leaf miner damage?: No, the damaged leaf tissue will remain scarred. Focus on keeping the new, healthy growth free of pests.

Guides to these causes

Citrus Scale

Why are there bumps and trails on my lemon tree leaves?