What's eating my kumquat?

Kumquats share all the usual citrus pest problems: scale insects, citrus leafminer, aphids, and spider mites are the most common culprits. Scale is the headline threat, colonising stems and leaves and triggering sooty mould on the sticky honeydew. Regular inspection, horticultural oil sprays, and encouraging ladybirds keep all four in check.

Hard or waxy bumps on stems and leaf undersides; sticky honeydew leads to black sooty mould on leaves and fruit Scrub off with a soft brush dipped in soapy water; apply horticultural oil (neem or petroleum-based) at the crawler stage; repeat every 10–14 days until clear

Silvery, serpentine tunnels etched through young leaves, causing them to curl and distort; new flush is worst affected Remove and destroy heavily mined leaves; apply neem oil or spinosad to new flush; encourage parasitic wasps which naturally suppress populations

Colonies on tender shoot tips cause leaf curl, yellowing, and sticky honeydew deposits Blast off with a strong jet of water; apply insecticidal soap; ladybirds and lacewings provide effective biological control

Fine stippling and silvery bronzing on leaf surfaces; fine webbing visible in dry conditions; premature leaf drop in heavy infestations Raise humidity; spray forcefully with water; apply horticultural oil or predatory mite sachets (Phytoseiulus persimilis) for organic control