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Olive tree · Olea europaea

How do I get rid of bugs on my olive tree?

Olive trees are prone to scale insects, which look like small bumps on the stems or leaves. These pests suck the sap and weaken your tree over time.

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pests on a plant
Photo: Jules Verne Times Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

Check these first

  1. Examine the stems for small, raised bumps.
  2. Check the undersides of leaves for sticky residue.
  3. Inspect any fruit for tiny puncture marks.

Likely causes

  1. Scale Insects

    Most likely

    How to tell: You see small, hard, brown or tan bumps on the stems and undersides of leaves.

    What to do: Scrape off the scale insects with a soft brush or your fingernail. Wipe the affected areas with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

  2. Olive Fruit Fly

    Possible

    How to tell: If your tree has fruit, you might see premature drop or tiny holes in the olives.

    What to do: Use sticky traps specifically designed for fruit flies to monitor and reduce the population. Keep the ground clear of fallen fruit to break their life cycle.

Pests on other plants

Find out what's wrong with your olive tree

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.

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When to worry

A few bugs are manageable, but a heavy infestation can drain the tree of energy and lead to stunted growth. Treat as soon as you spot them.

Stopping it coming back

Regularly inspect your tree during your watering routine and wipe down leaves to keep them clean.

Olive tree: pests? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your olive tree 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.

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Questions people ask

Can I use neem oil?
Yes, neem oil is an effective organic treatment for scale. Apply it in the evening to avoid leaf burn from the sun.
Do I need to treat the whole tree?
It is best to treat the entire plant if you see pests on multiple branches to ensure you catch every hidden insect.

Guides to these causes

More problems with Olive tree

Back to the Olive tree guide

This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.