About this time each year, here in Central Texas, we have an influx of walking sticks. These things will run from 2 inches to the whopper 8 inchers. In the past I pretty much left them alone, because they didn't bother anything. I just discovered that they love satsuma leaves. I've never seen them on my lemons and limes, but they definately love Orange leaves. Found several in each of my oranges, but none on anything else. They were doing some serious brousing on my citrus "buffet". They are now on my KOS list. (Kill on sight)...very small list. Going to try Sulphur, a commercial citrus spray, and a soapy water mixture. I'll report back as to what appears to do best....I would be interested if anyone has any other suggestions etc...thanks....

are they eating the citrus or eating things that could be onm it? I've never heard of them as a pest to kill. Everything I've read is that they are good bugs, not to bekilled

Walking sticks are NOT benificial bugs like the mantid. They don't exist on insects but on leaves of trees and other plants. In tropical conditions walking sticks can completly defolate a tree in a short period of time. Usually there are not enough of them in one area to cause significant damage but if there are large numbers the damage can be severe.

I would try the least toxic treatment of soap and water and go from there.

maybe I'm thinking something different.

I know someone posted on another site to keep grasshoppers off use a hot pepper spray insect repellant. Most bugs dont likethe spicey stuff

Canuck, I guarantee that they are definately eating the leaves themselves. Haven't made up some pepper tea yet. Tempted to try that all over my bird feeders to control the squirrels as well. Only found one today. Still only on the satsumas. They get on the grapefruit, and then they'll have to deal with my wife, and the fight will be on...smile....

You can mix regular powdered cayanne pepper in the brd feed to deter the squirrels. This will not hurt the birds but will give the squirrels a very hot meal which they will qickly leave for cooler fare.