Davis says ladybugs or sticky traps. Here is a link that might be useful: ud davis ipm

Would a couple capfuls of oil based fish emulsion be enough in a two gallon sprayer full of water to which I add a tablespoon of dish soap (i use fels naptha in the garden), an emulsified lemon, and a few garlic? Several people suggested spraying with the fish emulsion just once a month. A year ago I sprayed a citrus with about 1/4 cup vegetable oil and a few drops of soap to a two gallon water solution--and about 3/4 of the leaves fell off. It was later in the year--probably after the spring flush had been well underway. (lost many Bufordii Holly leaves too) So I sure don't want to do that again. I have to add that last year my oranges had what is called 'sharkskin' so I must have had RUST MITES. I have not seen these mites with my own eyes--AND OF COURSE THOSE LEAFMINERS--which I have not seen either. Is there a mixture I can make as a preventive or cure? for the RUST MITES? Thank you very much!

The eggs of the CCS are inside the white fluffy stuff on the adult female scale. They are red. When the eggs hatch inside that white fluff, the nymphs (babies) leave for green pastures and once they locate a feeding site, begin adding their waxy layers. Each of those cottony egg sacs carry somewhere around 600 eggs...and most all of them (if not all) will become female scale capable of generating their own batch of eggs. Thus, you are not cleaning eggs from your citrus, but hatchlings (nymphs). Females do not lay the eggs and leave them, but carry them all within the cottony sac until they leave of their own accord. You might find it easier to use a soft rag, dampened with alcohol, to wipe the scale adults AND nymphs from your plant. Easier than toothpicks, yes? At that point, even soapy water will do the job rather than the alcohol. But, if you don't apply a horticultural oil after all of this, you'll be missing an important step in preventing a recurrence. The oil will not only smother the nymphs and adults of this scale (including all of those you will miss in your hand removal) but do the same to other scale species, spider mites, aphids, etc. Horticultural oils (which are organic approved) are a very useful tool in the control of plant pests...and help us keep pest populations under control so that we don't ourselves into trouble. Here is a link that might be useful: CCS eggs

lizalily, I can't prune it back because it doesn't have any leaves in the middle only on the outside. If I prune it back there won't be any leaves. It does seem to be coming back a little now that it has rained so I am going to keep spraying it with water as you suggest to see if that helps. Thank you so much for the advice. Linda