Your Citrus Plant May Interfere with your Vitality

Riverside County is the home to numerous styles of trees and plants. This often allows for homes to showcase wonderful colors and inviting fruits on their trees. However, Riverside has been hit with a recent health concern that could impact the types of trees that are considered inviting. Citrus trees are a commonality in both orchards and regular yards in Riverside County. However within these trees, scientists have found numerous pests. These pests have been detected through a trapping method which is comprised of hanging a yellow solution, similar to honey, to the citrus trees. Pests eventually find themselves stuck on the yellow trapping which is how their presence is detected. Agriculturalists also inspect trees for new growths where the pests may reside.

Before agricultural officials come to inspect a tree, it is important that a person who suspects his or her tree is infected does an investigation of his or her own. Tree damage that appears as if lice or psyllid have feasted on the tree is important to view. Psyllid can also be detected through eggs as well as lumps on the wax. Essentially, any inconsistencies in the quality of the bark of a tree should be noted so that agricultural officials can figure out the specific risks at stake.

Citrus trees should only be bought from local tree stores and certified. Other buys could be potentially dangerous. Another danger to avoid is handling citrus trees with one’s own hands, especially if not protected by gloves. Also, moving these trees from different counties or states can also create a problem in terms of the exposure to pests in areas where it has been unanticipated. This has been said to be one of the fastest ways in which disease can spread through citrus tree infestations.

Threats to citrus trees have been a common issue for years. Because of this, it’s important that everyone is aware of these issues and take proper precautions to not harm themselves or others. In this instance the disease is bacterial and is known to directly infringe upon the plant’s most important systems. The bacteria are harmless to people and animals, but remain especially harmful to plants.  The bacteria are spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, who carries the disease with it as moves from one plant to another. The disease is untreatable once a plant is infected, leaving the plant or tree to die over the course of a year or two. The State of California currently has a program to eradicate trees that have contracted the disease.  
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Considering the popularity of citrus trees in Riverside County, it is imperative that citrus tree owners take special precautions to ensure their own health.  In order to get the protection you deserve, it is important to call to have a volunteer to install the trap in the citrus tree. The County  Agriculture Commissioner’s office can be reached at 805-781-5910.