Plant pests?

i have several potted plants on my balcony and two dwarf trees one is a lemon tree and one a lime tree,I have noticed ants on the lemon tree and a spider has made a web in the lime tree,will these pests destroy my plants? there are no fruit on them yet but they have flowered and fallen off so soon there will be,I know the ants are pests but will the spider harm the tree or help keep the pests at bay? thanks

Plant pests?
Having ants on a tree or shrub indicates that you have an aphid or scale problem. Check the undersides of the leaves for the aphids. They can be green to light brown. If it is aphids, you should also see whitish cast skins (spent exoskeletons) on the undersides as well. If the infestation is severe there will be sticky honeydew and/or blackish sooty mold on the leaves and twigs. It is this "honeydew" (aphid poop) that the ants are seeking. It is a sweet food source for them and they protect the aphids from predators to keep their supply safe. The ants will not harm your citrus, it is the aphids that will do the damage. If you have a "scale" infestation, you will have the same characteristics as the aphids (honeydew, sootymold). There are many varieties of scale but the more common of the species have either a "hard" shell, which looks like a brownish/black miniature helmet, or a white, cottony, fuzzy ball. You will find them on the twigs and small branches and inbetween the leaf internodes. They are small so you will have to look closely. If it is one of these pests, you can go to the nearest garden center and tell them what you have and they can recommend something to rid you of the problem. Not knowing myself which one it may be, does not allow me to recommend a means of control. What will kill aphids, will not kill scale. Identifying the problem is 95% of the battle when it comes to controlling insect pests. As far as the spider building a web in your tree, it will cause no harm at all, but will "not" help control the aphids or scale. Hope this answers your question.. Good Luck!





...$Billy Ray$
Reply:Ants and the spider are unsightly but, should not harm your plant.





I would think the spider would kill any other pests that might attack your plant.





Here is a link to an article of common houseplant pests that are harmful to your houseplant.





http://www.organicgardening.com/feature/...





Here is another link to a specific type of pest called a spider mite that is harmful to house plants and will help you ID your spider as okay or harmful.





http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect...
Reply:Spiders never harm plants, they are all carnivores. The ants are probably after the drops of sticky dew some citrus produce, try putting a bit of jam at the base of it, an easy life means they won't bother climbing - honest!