As Australian gardeners, we're no strangers to the challenges of maintaining a lush and healthy garden. From the harsh sun to the unpredictable weather, our green thumbs are constantly put to the test. But perhaps one of the most frustrating adversaries we face is the pesky citrus gall wasp, an insect that has been causing quite a stir in Aussie backyards, particularly among our beloved citrus trees.

The citrus gall wasp is a native Australian pest that has been wreaking havoc on lemon and grapefruit trees, leaving gardeners scratching their heads for effective solutions. These wasps lay their eggs in the new shoots of citrus trees, and as the larvae develop, the tree forms distinctive galls around them, which can be seen as bulges on the stems. When left unchecked, these galls can disrupt the flow of water and nutrients, weakening the tree and reducing both the size and quantity of the fruit.

But fear not, fellow green-thumbed seniors, because some innovative Aussies have come up with a rather unconventional method to combat these garden invaders: using household appliances like microwaves and barbecues!

Did you know there's an unconventional method of removal pests from citrus trees? Credit: Shutterstock

One Perth man, Charlie, shared his experience with Yahoo News Australia, explaining how he was taken aback by the bulges on his lemon tree's stems. After seeking advice, he learned that while pruning the infected stems is a common control method, the wasps can still emerge if the offcuts are left around, especially during their usual emergence period between September and December.

So, what did Charlie do? He took the pruned stems, placed them in a bowl, and 'nuked them in the microwave' for five minutes. This might sound bizarre, but there's a method to the madness. By microwaving the infected stems, Charlie believed he could effectively kill the eggs or pupae inside, a method he found more reliable than bagging the stems and leaving them out in the sun, which can be less effective during cloudy or rainy days.

Another homeowner even took to cooking the stems on their barbecue! While it may seem odd, burning the pruned stems is a surefire way to ensure that no wasps emerge from the offcuts. Other methods such as shredding, mulching, or sealing the branches in a bag can also help mitigate the risk.

The good news is that Charlie's lemon tree survived the ordeal and has since produced 'lots of fruit.' However, he reminds us that it's important to stay vigilant and keep on top of the infestation.

For those of us who love our gardens and take pride in our homegrown produce, this microwave trick could be a game-changer in the fight against the citrus gall wasp. It's a quick and effective solution that can save our trees from these unwelcome guests.

So, if you're noticing strange bulges on your citrus tree stems, don't despair. Consider giving this quirky microwave method a try, or perhaps even a barbecue session for those stems. And remember, keeping a close eye on your garden and acting quickly at the first sign of infestation is key to protecting your trees and ensuring a bountiful harvest.

Key Takeaways

• Australians are using unconventional methods such as microwaving and barbequing to manage infestations of citrus gall wasps in their gardens.
• Citrus gall wasps lay eggs in new shoots of citrus trees, causing the trees to produce galls around the larvae, which can disrupt the tree's nutrient and water flow.
• Pruning is an advised control method, but for better effectiveness against wasp-infected off-cuts, options like burning, microwaving, or bagging and sunning are suggested.
• These management techniques, as demonstrated by one Perth man with his lemon tree, can help prevent the reduction in fruit size and quantity that often results from heavy infestations of citrus gall wasps.

We'd love to hear from you, our wise and experienced gardening community. Have you encountered the citrus gall wasp in your garden? What methods have you tried to manage the infestation? Share your stories and tips in the comments below, and let's continue to support each other in keeping our gardens thriving!

 

[Ezzy]

Sound advice. My only question is how much time would be needed to microwave prunings from a large lemon tree? I guess that only affected wood is treated this way.

 

[Littleboy8]

I wondered what those bulges are can’t half tell I’m not a gardener but the lemons are good.