Q.Citron mite infestions when placed indoor in Chicago Area–warm house, low humidity
I’ve been growing 2 citron trees for 10-12 years now and on average only achieve fruiting perhaps every 3 years due to spider mite (probably) infestation damage when I bring my beautiful, vibrant summer trees in for the winter. I use external lighting however, it does add a warmer environment to the tree. This year, I will be using COB led lighting which may be cooler and considerably brighter.
I’ve used imidaclorpride soil drenching, topical sprays and my go-to, which worked in the past, Hotshot No-Pest slow release hanging strip (ddvp). Even these, aren’t working either and all the leaves wither, fall off the trees, and half the time, the branches die off totally and my trees are reborn via sucker branches. If I can avoid this dies off, the woody branches would then allow the trees to bear fruit since the new suckers are too supple to bear fruit until they woodify. The Hotshot product is not recommended for extended stay with humans in the same room, so I would like to discontinue its use if possible.
Perhaps pretreating prior to bringing them inside or different pesticides?? Or anything that may work?? So, perhaps outside and then inside treatments? Help!!!
Thanks,
Bill
nearchemsp@aol.com

We would recommend Neem Oil to treat the Spider Mites.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/spider-mite-treatment.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm