Black Sooty Mold

The black sooty mold is probably the result of sucking insect damage such as aphids, mealybugs or scale. For sucking insects spray with a suffocant such as a horticultural oil but spray in the early evening to avoid burning the foliage during the heat of the day. There are also chemical systemics specifically formulated for citrus plants as another option, but you would need to get rid of the current problem first and the systemic would be for future control. Also look for ants as they farm the sucking insects for their honeydew, excreta from the insects that leads to the black sooty mold. Use a bait that ants take back to their nests to kill the entire colony and the queen. You can also apply tanglefoot around the trunk of the tree to keep ants out of the tree.

Black sooty mold results from the excretions of sap-sucking insects such as aphids, scale or mealy bug. The excretions (called honeydew) lead to black sooty mold. Aphids can be washed off with a strong stream of water but If the problem is extensive, then it might be best to use an organic control such as Spinosad with a 7-10 day residual. If spraying with Spinosad wait until the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried it is safe for beneficials. You can also use systemic insecticide formulated for your specific plant. Also if you see ants around your plant, get rid of them with an ant bait that they take back to the nest so that the entire colony can be killed. Ants "farm" aphids, scale and mealybugs for their honeydew.

Black sooty mold results from the excretions of sap-sucking insects such as aphids, The excretions (called honeydew) lead to black sooty mold. Aphids can be washed off with a strong stream of water but If the problem is extensive, then it might be best to use an organic control such as Spinosad with a 7-10 day residual. If spraying with Spinosad wait until the early evening after the bees have returned to their hives. Once the spray has dried it is safe for beneficials. You can also use systemic insecticide formulated for your specific plant. Also if you see ants around your plant, get rid of them with an ant bait that they take back to the nest so that the entire colony can be killed. Ants "farm" aphids, scale and mealybugs for their honeydew.

The black sooty mold is probably the result of sucking insect damage such as aphids, mealybugs or scale. Confirm the problem at your local garden center. If it is, for sucking insects spray with a suffocant such as a horticultural oil but spray in the early evening to avoid burning the foliage during the heat of the day. There are also chemical systemics but make sure it is recommended for your particular plant and you would need to get rid of the current problem first and the systemic would be for future control. Also look for ants as they farm the sucking insects for their honeydew, excreta from the insects that leads to the black sooty mold. Use a bait that ants take back to their nests to kill the entire colony and the queen.