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2026–2027 Florida Citrus Production Guide: Plant Bugs, Chewing Insect Pests, Caribbean Fruit Fly, and Thrips

Xavier Martini andLauren M. Diepenbrock


Recommended Chemical Controls

READ THE LABEL.

Rates for pesticides are given as the maximum amount required to treat mature citrus trees unless otherwise noted. To treat smaller trees with commercial application equipment including handguns, mix the per-acre rate for mature trees in 250 gal of water. Calibrate and arrange nozzles to deliver thorough distribution and treat as many acres as this volume of spray allows.

Table 1. Recommended chemical controls for chewing pests.

IRAC MOA1

Pesticide Trade Name

Rate/Acre2

Comments

Pests Controlled

1A

Carbaryl

4L

3 qt

May increase spider mite populations.

Grasshoppers, crickets, katydids, adult root weevils, scale insects

Sevin XLR

3 qt

1B

Malathion

5EC

6 pt

Do not apply during bloom. 

Plant bugs

8EC

3.75 pt

11

Bacillus thuringiensis

Bacillus thuringiensis

See label

--

Caterpillars (including orange dog)

--

Fire Ant Baits

6

Clinch

1 lb

Bearing and nonbearing.

Fire ants

7A

Extinguish

1 lb

Bearing and nonbearing. Labeled for aerial application.

7B

Award

1 lb

Nonbearing only. Two applications/season — spring and late summer.

1 Mode of action class for citrus pesticides from the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) Mode of Action Classification v. 11.4 (2025).

2 Lower rates may be used on smaller trees. Do not use less than the minimum label rate.