Orange oil (d-limonene) has become a very successful “NATURAL” means of controlling a wide range of insect pests in USA

Unfortunately there are no commercial products currently available in Australia that have been registered for use as an insecticide.

There are a number of Orange-Oil based cleaners that might work, although care should be taken with regard to the strength of the product, as some have the ability to melt plastic and strip paint.

A home made Citrus Oil mix can be made by mixing citrus peel of any type in a blender and covering with cold water. Left to soak for a couple of days, the strained mix can be sprayed on a wide variety of insect pests such a cockroaches and ants.

Not as strong as the real thing, and expectations should not be for total eradication, but success to some degree should be achieved.

JD

The most common of this group of pests is the Bronze Orange Bug; Musgraveia sulciventris.

The young (nymphs are usually green in colour and easily camoflage among the leaves of the host tree. They gradually darken to orange or orange/black, often attaining 25mm in length.

Essentially pests of citrus trees, they feed upon the young shoots flowers and fruit

When disturbed the bugs will position themselves in order to squirt an vile smelling chemical in the direction of their attacker. The chemical not only has a shocking smell, it also stains skin and clothing and can cause a burning sensation if squirted or rubbed into the eyes.

Do It Yourself Pest Control

Treat the underside of leaves with a soap spray during winter. Eggs and nymphs are present at this time and if winter control is achieved, the population of adults will be well down to eliminated when they are at their worst during mid-summer and autumn. The eggs are little white spheres, laid on the underside of leaves for protection and are always found in groups of 4 lines.

If summer has arrived and you already have a problem, the following remedies are useful:

• Manual removal if there aren’t too many. Use gloves and a pair of goggles, knock them off into a bucket of boiling water.
• Vinegar spray may be useful in controlling both caterpillars and sap-sucking insects such as stink bugs, aphids, and mealybugs.
• Only those with a spare, old vacuum would dare try it. Vacuum them off the leaves and, at least throw away the dust bag (if not the vacuum cleaner),

Vinegar spray recipe

Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water and add 5 g of pure soap flakes.

Take a look at Rid Pest Control’s Website for more information.