The Spruce / Madelyn Goodnight
While tending to your garden, you might notice small white flies on plants.
Whiteflies are sap-sucking insects that weaken plants by piercing leaves and stems and feeding on plant nutrients.
Although these heart-shaped flies are no more than 1/10 inch long, they can wreak havoc on your garden.
The Spruce / Madelyn Goodnight
Keep reading to learn how to treat whiteflies at the first signs of infestation.
How to Identify Whiteflies
Adult whiteflies resemble tiny moths, somewhat triangular shaped with yellow heads.
These hatch into oval shaped nymphs that move along the plant surface to a feeding spot.
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Whiteflies prefer to feed on new growth and adults can be spotted moving among plants.
Check leaves and stems for sticky residue.
This is called honeydew and is present where sap-sucking insects feed.
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In warmer weather, whiteflies reproduce quickly, but in colder weather the life cycle unfolds more slowly.
Signs of a Whitefly Infestation
If you suspect whiteflies, give the affected plant a gentle shake.
The tell-tale cloud of insects will fly up out of the foliage to confirm your suspicion.
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Whiteflies are also attracted to plants with smooth, soft leaves.
Black sooty mold can develop on honeydew secreted by whiteflies.
They seldom actually kill a plant but infestations cause considerable damage includingchlorosis,defoliation, and stunting.
Mechanical controls are the first option, because these pests quickly develop resistance to pesticides, even organic products.
For houseplants, put the entire potted plant in the sink and spray it thoroughly with thefaucet sprayer.
This often dislodges most of the whitefly adults, larvae, and eggs.
ensure to examine and spray each leaf.
Use Sticky Traps
The same sticky tape that works for houseflies can be used for whiteflies.
Attach it to stakes to place in the garden.
Hangsticky trapson infected houseplants or stake them in pots.
Strips can also be hung or placed on stakes in greenhouses.
have a go at find a product free from fragrance and additives that might harm plants.
This helps control the population but it’s unlikely to completely eradicate them.
Use Neem Oil
Neem oilhas insecticidal properties and also works as a fungicide.
The oil is absorbed by the plant, offering some persistent protection.
Neem oil is safe for use on vegetables and food plants as well as ornamentals.
Like insecticidal soap, neem is useful for controlling whitefly populations but might not eliminate the problem completely.
Several applications may be necessary.
Mix the paste into one quart of water and steep for one hour.
Strain through cheesecloth and add one tablespoon of liquid dish soap.
Mix well and use the concoction as a leaf spray.
The mixture can be stored for up to one week in the refrigerator.
These cannot be considered organic pesticides, so use them cautiously in an indoor environment.
Eliminating adults interrupts the life cycle and helps bring the population under control.
Use this method carefully to avoid damaging the plant.
Be sure to empty the vacuum bag immediately outdoors.
Encourage Natural Predators
Natural predators of whiteflies will keep populations under control in greenhouses and vegetable gardens.
Such predators include small birds and insects like spiders, lacewings, ladybugs, and big eyed bugs.
Provide good air circulation in the greenhouse with open vents and fans that allow access to whitefly predators.
Practice good spacing between garden plants and add flowers andcompanion plantsthat attract beneficial insects.
The ultraviolet rays confuse pests making it difficult for them to locate that particular food source.
Mulches work best in an outdoor environment.
You could try placing a sheet of aluminum foil under a potted plant to help deflect whitefly.
Inspect plants before you bring them home, and isolate them for a few days.
Spray any infested plants with pyrethrin or neem oil outdoors before bringing them inside.
Invite these predators into your yard and gardens by growing flowers that attract them.
Keep Plants Healthy
Overall, healthier plants are more resistant to infestation.
Reduce the use of high nitrogen fertilizers for susceptible plants.
Insects that feed on whiteflies include lacewings, ladybugs,dragonflies, and parasitic wasps.
Some insect-eating birds also eat whiteflies.
Hummingbirds, for example, are known to feast on whiteflies.
3, 2015, pp.
704-715., doi:10.3390/insects6030704
Whiteflies in the Greenhouse.
Cold Pressed Neem Oil (025006) Fact Sheet.
National Pesticide Information Center.
