Lemon tree leaves are often affected by various pests, including Aphids, Brown Soft Scale, Citrus Bud Mite, Citrus Thrips, and Citrus Whitefly. These small insects attach themselves to the leaves and can cause damage to the tree. Understanding the damage caused by citrus leafminers is crucial for addressing the issue and preventing further defoliation. Regular watering and removing plant debris can help identify and treat these pests.
Young leaves are particularly susceptible to the silvery trails or tunnels on the leaves of your lemon tree. Treatment involves pruning affected branches and disposing of the affected material. Common Meyer lemon leaf-eating pests include aphids, which are harmless bugs that eat away at the leaves, while more serious pests like citrus rust mites can cause curling.
Insects such as slugs and snails can also affect your lemon tree. The most common caterpillar attacking lemon leaves is the citrus swallowtail (Papilio demodocus), which resembles bird droppings. Other pests, such as bird poop caterpillars, can also feed on your lemon tree due to improper maintenance.
Spotting these pests early is essential for effective control measures to prevent them from spreading. Look for the telltale white, cottony masses on leaves and use a local store to find the most common citrus pests and diseases. By identifying potential pest incursions early, you can take steps to protect your lemon tree and prevent further damage.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| What is eating the leaves of my lemon tree? | It could be a number of things affecting your lemon tree. It could be slugs and snails, even though it is very dry, they are still coming out at night to feed. | tuigarden.co.nz |
| Lemon Pests and Diseases | Fruit | Citrus | Grow To Eat | The caterpillar most often found attacking lemon leaves is that of the citrus swallowtail (Papilio demodocus). The caterpillars, which resemble bird droppings … | thegardener.co.za |
| Who’s eating your citrus leaves? – Greg Alder’s Yard Posts | At other times of the year, you might see citrus leaves being eaten by bird poop caterpillars, also known as Papilio cresphontes or Heraclides … | gregalder.com |
📹 Save a CITRUS TREE from DYING from LEAF MINERS and other pests with this ORGANIC SOLUTION
Many people don’t even know why their Citrus tree is dying Chances are they have a serious pest problem. Leaf miners are the …
How Do I Protect My Lemon Tree From Rodents?
To protect your fruit trees from Norway and roof rats, consider adding rat guards and other preventive measures. Rats are skilled climbers, able to ascend surfaces such as chimneys and trees. Installing metal sheets or sturdy plastic around tree trunks can help prevent access. Effective control strategies essential for keeping rats away include traps, poisons, and maintaining cleanliness around the area.
Start by identifying the presence of rats, then implement protective measures, which might include installing physical barriers like tree guards, fences, or wire mesh that prevents rats from climbing. Chemical deterrents such as commercial repellents and ammonia-soaked rags can also be effective. Pruning overhanging branches and covering the base of trees with stones, mulch, or gravel can further discourage rodents from burrowing.
For those trees already planted, consider creating barriers with materials like plastic drainpipes or metal wraps extending below the soil line to protect roots. A simplified yet effective method is to place a thin steel sheet around singular trunk plants. Additionally, using snap traps is recommended for rat control, and ensuring barriers block access is crucial.
Beyond immediate protective measures, surrounding citrus trees with deer-resistant plants can assist in creating an uninviting environment for rats. The integration of wire mesh in the soil can help shield roots from underground threats like gophers. By understanding rodent behavior and employing comprehensive strategies, you can effectively safeguard your trees from rodent damage.
How Do I Keep Bugs From Eating My Lemon Tree Leaves?
To protect your lemon tree from pests, create a homemade pest spray using 2 to 3 tablespoons of dish soap mixed with 1 to 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and water in a jug, then shake well and spray on the plant. Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon of mild dish detergent, and 2 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil in a gallon of water for a solution that repels insects and acts as a fungicide against blight and mildew. Regularly spraying oil mixtures can effectively eliminate bugs.
Supplement this with organic matter like compost or liquid fertilizers, and use neem oil mixed with soapy water for further insect repellent properties. Establish physical barriers, such as glue bands on the trunk, to deter crawling pests, and consider applying eco-oil. Remove heavily damaged leaves and spray the undersides with a mixture of olive oil, water, and detergent to combat scale insects.
How Do I Get Rid Of Leaf Miners On My Lemon Tree?
If faced with a leafminer infestation, it's crucial to act promptly using a Spinosad spray, with Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew and Monterey Garden Insect Spray recommended. Leaf miners infest various citrus plants, including lemons, oranges, and limes, creating tunnel-like patterns in the leaves. These pests, originating from Asia, have spread widely in Southern California, making them a significant concern for citrus owners. Control methods include both biological and chemical approaches, such as promoting natural predators like specific wasp species and lacewing larvae.
Early detection is essential; removing infected leaves, introducing beneficial insects, and spraying with neem oil are effective strategies. This guide discusses various control methods, including cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods. Mature trees usually withstand leaf miner damage better, yet severe infestations can impact production. For pesticide use, the early spring inspection of infected leaves in a ziplock bag can reveal the presence of larvae.
Preventative measures are key; Monterey Citrus Leafminer Pheromone Traps can monitor moth activity, leading to appropriate preventative oil sprays if moths are detected. Maintaining reduced leaf growth during late summer and autumn by minimizing fertilization and watering, alongside pruning and weed removal, also aids in control. Regularly applying diluted Spinosad concentrate to the underside of leaves offers an effective safeguard. Additionally, applying horticultural oils bi-weekly as new shoots appear can further help mitigate infestations. Always ensure to remove affected leaves properly and consider eco-friendly trapping methods to control male populations.
What Is The Best Spray For Citrus Leaf Miners?
Citrus leaf miners, the larvae of a moth, can be effectively managed by spraying horticultural oils, like EarthCare Enviro Pest Oil, on new growth to prevent females from laying eggs. Adult moths avoid oily, shiny surfaces for oviposition. It’s advisable to apply insecticides early in the morning to reduce interruption of natural predators. Key strategies include removing and destroying infested leaves, introducing beneficial insects, and using neem oil on affected plants, which helps disrupt the leaf miners' life cycle.
The UGA Cooperative Extension recommends Bayer Advanced Fruit, Citrus, and Vegetable Insect Control as an effective solution. Proactive measures, like maintaining tree health through proper care and organic treatments, are vital for preventing infestations. Regular weekly applications of plant-derived organic pesticides, such as neem oil, during spring can mitigate issues. If leaf mines are detected, options like Yates Success Ultra, which possesses 'translaminar' action to affect larvae by being absorbed into leaves, are recommended.
Using neem oil with Savon Noir early in spring can also be beneficial before beneficial insects arrive, and it’s important to apply it at dusk. Additionally, Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew and Monterey Garden Insect Spray are suggested for leaf miner control. For seasonal pest control, horticultural oil can be applied during the dormant winter months. Effective management of citrus leaf miners requires a comprehensive approach, combining preventive and reactive treatments for optimal tree health.
How To Get Rid Of Aphids Permanently?
Aphids, small sap-sucking insects, can damage plants significantly, especially at their tips. To effectively control aphid problems, consider the following eight strategies:
- Place Sticky Traps to capture adult aphids.
- Encourage Beneficial Bugs like ladybugs that naturally prey on aphids.
- Use Organic Pesticides such as neem oil or soapy water mixtures for safe application.
- Maintain Your Garden Regularly to reduce pest populations.
- Try Companion Planting with garlic or other aphid-repelling vegetables.
- Encourage Soil Health and Biodiversity to create a balanced ecosystem.
- Spray Oils to suffocate aphids effectively.
- Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth around plants as a deterrent.
An immediate method to remove aphids is by hand, using waterproof gloves to gently rub leaves and stems, or effectively spraying them off with water. Additionally, for a more thorough approach, mix vinegar and rubbing alcohol in a spray to target the pests.
Prevention outweighs treatment; keeping ants away helps since they farm aphids for their sugary secretions. Include plants that attract aphid-eating birds like wrens and chickadees in your garden. Many homemade recipes for aphid control utilize simple ingredients, making solutions accessible and eco-friendly. By employing these tips, you can efficiently manage aphid infestations while fostering a healthy garden environment.
What Is The Best Homemade Aphid Killer?
Vinegar and liquid soap can create an effective DIY natural aphid spray, utilizing olive and mineral oils combined with vinegar and water to deter pests. Aphids are susceptible to control measures. Neem oil spray is another popular method for managing aphids, effective in greenhouses. To make a homemade aphid spray, you'll need basic ingredients like liquid soap and water. Garlic, known for its strong odor and sulfur content, can be incorporated too, as it slows bacterial and fungal growth.
To create your own aphid spray, you can mix vegetable oil and dish soap with water for a non-toxic insecticidal soap. Alternative sprays like tomato leaf or garlic oil proved effective, with recipes that typically include simple ratios of kitchen ingredients. For instance, a mixture of 1 tablespoon of dish soap, vegetable oil, and baking soda with water is a straightforward aphid killer.
Moreover, targeting aphid infestation with natural methods such as growing aphid-repellent plants and applying insecticidal soap can yield great results without chemical harm. Pyrethrin can also be mixed with water to combat aphids. Homemade aphid sprays are convenient, cost-effective, and rely solely on natural ingredients, making them an ideal solution for garden enthusiasts seeking to avoid commercial pesticides. With household items, it's straightforward to tackle aphid problems effectively.
Do Coffee Grounds Help Lemon Trees?
Coffee grounds serve as an excellent natural fertilizer for lemon trees, rich in nitrogen and other beneficial nutrients that enhance plant health. Instead of purchasing expensive fertilizers, gardeners can effectively utilize leftover coffee grounds from brewing. These organic materials enrich soil quality, increase acidity, and provide essential nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium, vital for healthy lemon tree growth. Incorporating coffee grounds not only promotes larger harvests of citrus fruits but also helps suppress weed growth by inhibiting weed seed germination when sprinkled around the tree's base.
While coffee grounds are beneficial, they should not be the sole source of fertilization. It is crucial to balance their use with other fertilizers, preferably citrus-specific options, to ensure optimal pH levels for your lemon trees, especially for Meyer lemons, which thrive in slightly acidic conditions. Used coffee grounds should ideally be composted to remove any unwanted chemicals before application. Additionally, when combined with grass clippings or other organic materials, the coffee grounds can further improve soil health.
In summary, coffee grounds are a practical, cost-effective solution for boosting the health and productivity of lemon trees when applied thoughtfully and in conjunction with other planting needs.
What To Spray On Lemon Trees For Aphids?
To control aphids on lemon trees, Colorado State University Extension recommends using insecticidal soap. This can be purchased or made at home by mixing 1 teaspoon of the mildest soap per quart of water. Spray the lemon trees thoroughly, including the undersides of leaves, and repeat weekly to eliminate pests. Adding neem oil can enhance effectiveness. For smaller infestations, manual removal techniques are useful: blast aphids off with a hose, wipe infested areas, or use a soft cloth or cotton swab. Washing the tree with a citrus-scented soap mixture may also repel aphids.
Regular inspection of leaves and stems helps catch infestations early. Avoid chemical sprays that can harm plants and consider introducing natural repellents, such as garlic or pepper spray. Insecticidal soap suffocates aphids, and essential oil sprays combining peppermint, clove, rosemary, and thyme oils with water can further deter them. Cold-pressed neem oil serves as an effective organic option against sucking pests, protecting for about ten days.
For thorough treatment, after rinsing off aphids, apply a commercial horticultural oil spray. Options like Koinor and SK Eco Oil Spray address infestations and reduce sooty mold. It's advised to apply soap sprays in the early morning or late afternoon when plants are not in direct sunlight. Recommended products include Yates Nature's Way Citrus and Ornamental Spray and neem oil for managing black aphids on citrus trees.
How Do I Protect My Lemon Tree?
To protect your lemon tree from diseases and cold during winter, maintain evenly moist and well-drained soil, avoiding overwatering. If disease signs appear, address them immediately. Repot your lemon tree every two to three years or when it becomes root-bound. For winter protection, wrap the tree with burlap or frost cloth to shield it from freezing temperatures. Young and sensitive citrus varieties are particularly vulnerable, necessitating specific care.
Utilize expert tips like frost cloths, wind barriers, and mulching to ensure your tree's health. An unheated backyard greenhouse can also safeguard potted lemon trees, preventing frost damage without overheating. Covering the tree is crucial; use frost cloths, blankets, or burlap to insulate against the cold. Ensure covers reach the ground to maximize protection.
Provide adequate drainage for sensitive roots by using pot feet and water the tree deeply at least once a week, especially in high temperatures, while avoiding overwatering. Ensure your lemon tree has a sunny location but shield it from harsh winds and frost through natural barriers like walls or taller plants. By following these strategies, you can help ensure that your lemon tree thrives and remains productive when spring arrives.
Can I Spray Soapy Water On My Lemon Tree?
Every year, I treat my lemon trees with a natural pest control regimen to ensure healthy growth and juicy fruit. I begin by spraying the trees with a mixture of Dr. Bronner’s soapy water, neem oil, and a few drops of thieves and peppermint oils. This application is typically done three to four times over a week before bringing the trees indoors. Additionally, I drench the soil with the leftover mixture each time to maintain soil health.
To manage aphids, I manually remove them by spraying water directly on the leaves or by knocking them into a bucket of soapy water. For broader control, I use natural or organic sprays such as insecticidal soap or neem oil. When creating homemade sprays, it’s crucial to use the right type of water. Hard water, containing iron, magnesium, and calcium, can form soap scum and reduce the effectiveness of pesticides, so using soft water is recommended.
There are 16 proven methods to eliminate aphids on lemon trees, including manually removing them, spraying affected areas, and using commercial insecticidal soaps. A simple spray can be made by mixing 1 to 2 tablespoons of soap with a quart of water, shaking well, and testing the mixture before application. For honeydew, a strong blast of water can dislodge the insects, and if necessary, additional treatments can be applied.
Additionally, homemade sprays can include garlic, cayenne pepper, and vinegar boiled and strained before use. Plain dish soap is effective against scale due to citrus leaves’ thick, waxy nature. A mixture of liquid soap and water or a 50/50 blend of water and rubbing alcohol can serve as contact sprays to control mites. Always use natural, unscented soaps to avoid harming the leaves, ensuring a safe and effective pest management strategy for lemon trees.
📹 2 Reasons Why Your Citrus Leaves Are Curling Leaf Curl
Ever wondered what’s causing the curling of your citrus leaves? In this video I show you 2 reasons why this happens. For those …
This is where drainage becomes important, that way, the soil is wet, water is available to the plant, but it it is not waterlogged and drowning the roots. 55 years ago, I ate a grapefruit, and a seed had already sprouted in the fruit, so recognizing its desire to grow, I planted it, and it has been my companion ever since, I’m in the suburbs of Chicago, and in the summer, when it’s in the 90’s, that thing needs, and I think nothing of, pouring several gallons of water into the pot, sometimes every day, and then see it raining down through the deck onto the ground…I suppose I should capture it and cycle it back through, seeing as how precious water is becoming…thank you for your article
My husband bought me a meyer lemon and the leaves were all curled. I couldn’t figure out why. Thank you for this information. It was really dry when he brought it home so I repotted and watered thoroughly thinking it would uncurl. I’m so glad to hear that the leaves won’t uncurl. I thought it was dying on me . Good to know the new leaves will be normal. Thank you!!!
Thanks for all your articles! I’ve been binging them lately. One day soon, I’ll make it out to QC to check out your nursery. One thing I wanted to add. I have a Butterfly garden and specifically planted a citrus tree because it’s a host plant for the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly. They lay their eggs on the leaves and their caterpillars will eat leaves but not cause any real damage. When they pupate, their chrysalis looks a little like a bird dropping. It definitely blends in. To your followers: Please don’t spray any pesticides in the garden, or neem oil or have spraying done anywhere nearby because the overspray causes harm too. It can and does kill many pollinators, and other critters, which are part of your garden’s diverse ecosystem. 🌱
Thank you so much for finally giving me the reason why my lemon tree’s leaves are curling up. No one could give me an answer. I am in Vegas and purchased a home where the tree was already established but was told that it had been extremely neglected. I thought I was overwatering as you mentioned. I am so happy I did not kill this beautiful tree. It doesn’t bother me if the leaves are curled, as long as the tree does not die. Thank you so very much. A new subscriber 😃
Live in Vegas from San Francisco. I grew good citrus trees in California so I decided to plant Myers lemon trees and Calamondin trees (sour Mandarin fruit) in my new home last year and it’s thriving except the leaves were curling up. I just pick out the leaves with insect infestations in it. I’ve been watering my roses and citrus trees by hand every morning and used Espoma fertilizers. It is now June and it starts to get hot in our area so I get up early everyday to hand water my garden. I see little fruits coming out from all my trees and buds from my roses, it really pays off to water your plants daily. Like us, humans, our trees need water daily, too. @QcTropicals, thanks for the good article and advice. Peace to all and happy planting. Mdc
Glad to know l learn that once the curling takes effect it’s permanent. I’m in Texas and a couple weeks ago we dropped down to 10° for an entire night, then went back into the 60s-70s°. My Arctic Frost satsuma and Meyer lemon took it like champs…their leaves curled but never reopened. I knew watering played a big role because it’s winter here in Texas, so I’d backed down off their watering schedule when it got cooler around Thanksgiving. Anyways, it’s reassuring hearing that the leaves still being curled a month later on my potted trees is “normal”. Great stuff!
i’ve been growing my citrus tree for only a year and watched it very closely and noticed the same thing with the leafs folding .. i could tell that when the leaves fold it was dry and i always noticed once i gave it a great water like until i seen a puddle of water come out on the patio the leaf would perk up and even unfold after few more good watering
I have two citrus plants in pots, and keep them as houseplants. I found plump, healthy looking seeds in organic sunkist naval orange, and from sunkist Tangerines. Just on a whim, I germinafed these seeds, they sprouted, then I planted them in pots. I am growing them as houseplants. I read that even if you have seeds from a sweet naval orange, planting them does not guarantee it will produce equally sweet fruit. I read, that if the plant is either air layered, or grafted, then they are more likely to produce sweet fruit. My concern is, the organic naval orange plant has some leaves that have small, white bumps on them. If left alone, these bumps become hard, and that part of the affe ted leaf feels hard, and callous like. What is causing this? The naval orange plant is about 20 inches tall, quite healthy otherwise, perky leaves, and the stem is thick! Just about the thickness of a pencil! The other plant, the sunkist tangerine plant, doesn’t have these bumps. The naval orange plant is arou d 1 1/2 yrs. old. The tangerine is about a year old, and about 13 ” tall. I also just transplanted it to a slightly larger pot. The roots were quite rootbound in the smaller pot. Seems to be doi g well in new pot. Just concerned about the white bumps on leaves.
I had bottom leaves green and top leaves turning yellow on lemon tree. Both started to curl a lot. I saw it on another YouTube website it was overwatering probably causing root rot and I needed well drained soil. I actually took a drill and drilled holes into my plant pot (plastic). Now when I water it water comes out through those holes as well and it drains much quicker. I cut off some of the lower leaves of the plant hoping it might cure the problem. The soil seems moist so I think it could be lack of nutrition.
my seedlings are curling and the leaves are getting shiny like with shiny silvery lines on them, i thought they were maybe getting sunburnt or something omg because of this i moved them into indirect sunlight but now i realize that it’s these tiny little caterpillars. so i think the butterflies are laying their eggs on them cos i’ve killed tiny little caterpillars cos i’ve found little tiny holes in the leaves as well. annoying but i’m happy to know they aren’t dying!
I have watched many of your articles but i just came across this article about leaf curling. This is 2 years old and i watched it because i had the same problems. I had leafminers and i know you said they don’t damage the plant but in my mind they did. They made my trees so ugly. I used to cut them off. But, i may have found something that works. It is organic as you will not be spraying anything on your plants. I just happened to stumble upon this one. I bought on Amazon the yellow tacky cards. I bought the ones that were 5×8″. I’m cheap so i cut them in half so i get 2 pieces out of each one. They come with holes but since i cut them in half i had to poke one hole in the second piece with the tip of my scissor. I used the ties that they give you in each pack and i put both sticky pieces on each tree. I have been using them since March. We are in Florida so we have a long growing season. So far i don’t see any damage. It’s been about 4 months and i have changed the sticky cards once as they collect all sorts of bugs and they get gross looking. I’m really hoping this cures the problem. I did put them on right after they flowered. Just posting this in case snyone else would like to try it to see if they have the same results. My trees are inground. Florida Gardener Zone 9a
My plant was underwater and I definitely saw a lot of difference after i watered it. I also kept it in the sun . The leaves are a little softer now . Thanks for the tip, i was about to not water it thinking its over watered However i would say over watering may lead to root rotting which also brings the plant in defense mode Takeaway you know when the plant is over watered or underwatered . Water only when the top 1 inch of soil is dry
I’m blindly working my way through growing 4 lemon trees from seed. Today, I noticed one leaf curling! Came across your article. WHEW! Problem solved.. question. One of the 3-month-old lemon trees leaves is more of a light green color compared to the darker green color of the other trees. ?? Thanks for the help
We recently bought two dwarf lemon tree saplings and their leaves have been curling ever since we moved them into bigger terracotta pots. This confuses us greatly, because these little trees are putting out beautiful blooms and forming numerous tiny lemons non-stop, which would normally suggest that they are in good health. We have been pinching off the tiny lemons to help them conserve energy to establish roots, and we water them at least once a day at the moment as the weather warms up and the sun gets more and more intense. A few days ago we also piled mulch and some pebbles around the base of the trees to help reduce water loss. A few leaves near the top of the trees have stopped curling now, so our guess is that they are just thirsty and we need to keep up with the watering.
Hi thank you for explaining it so well. I live in the Western Cape in South Africa and have a small lemon tree which I have planted in the ground. It is a few months old and 40 cm in height. We had a couple of very high temperature days in our area and two days ago I saw the lemon tree’s curling leaves. I watered it thoroughly and hoped it would recover fully. This morning it looked the same and I felt a bit disappointed and panicky and decided to look for help. Can you maybe advice me on how often I should water the tree, because I don’t want to over water it either and what natural nutrients I can give it. I also would like to know if potassium water is good for citrus trees (especially lemon trees) or not? Thank you.
I just found you and I then subscribed. I have a Meyer lemon tree that I purchased this summer and had it outside. It was doing well. I now have it inside (Zone 5) under a grow light. It has been in for almost 2months. I just noticed what looks like little spider webs all over it…..what do I do????? Glad to know about the curling leaves.
Hi, I have a few citrus plant in my back yard and the leaves are curling up, but this is not happening because a lack of water. My citrus leaves are curling because some sort of insect comes out at night and sucks the leaves while they leaves some thing like a road map on the leaves.I have noticed on one or two of the leaves you show on your article has that marking also. By the way I live in central Florida where many people has the same problem.
what if the leaves curl in the opposite way? That is what mine are doing. I am growing them indoors in a southern exposure window. I am at around 1200 feet elevation. So it is iffy for citrus,mine are Myers lemons, at least from the seed of a Myers lemon tree. They could be anything. What do you think?
No, it doesn’t take several months to kill a citrus tree with overwatering. if you are actually overwatering your tree, it only takes a couple of weeks to see the physical damages. Leaves are starting to turn yellow. And no, the yellowing leaves is not because of nitrogen deficiency. It is because the root system is rotting. That causes the tree not being able to bring foods up to feed the entire tree, especially the leaves. That’s why the tree starts to shed the leaves.
Homemade oil spray It’s easy to make a low cost oil spray at home. Pour 2 cups of vegetable oil and ½ cup of dishwashing liquid into a jar, mix it well then add 1 tbsp of concentrate to 1 litre of water. Spray to cover the top and bottom of the foliage. هذه هيه الماده التي تعالج تجعد والتواء اوراق اليمون والحمضيات وهيه سهله الصنع من مواد منزليه ليس لها تاثيرات على الصحه,,,المكونات اي زيت رخيص 2 كوب و ربع كوب صابون مواعين امزج الزيت مع الصابون وضعه بقنينه فارغه ثم خذ ملعقه طعام من هذا المزيج وصبها على لتر من الماء ورش به الشجره المتضرره وانظر النتائج بعد اسبوعين او ثلاثه سوف يتوقف هذا المرض وتصبح الشجره صحيحه, وبدون اي ماده كيمياويه او مبيد حشرات كذلك تقتصد بالمال .
As for reason # 2 (leaf miners and other pests), you said it is not going to kill the tree and it is only cosmetic, but unfortunately, it will retard the growth of your tree. I have citrus trees planted over 4 years ago and they are hardly growing due to those leaf miners and other pests that attract ants as well. It needs to be taken care of; you can’t just ignore it and say it is just cosmetic.