Plants are covered with a cloud of white, moths-like insects and white eggs when whiteflies are present.They are found on the underside of leaves.The bugs can encourage the growth of mold and spread plant viruses.Fight these insects through several angles of attack, introducing their natural enemies to your garden, hanging traps, and inspecting plants regularly for manual whitefly removal.
Step 1: Introduce the whitefly's natural predator to the plants.
Animals can be introduced to your garden to feed on the whitefly, but not your plants, which is one of the most effective ways to get rid of them.Spiders, lacewings, minute pirate bugs, big-eyed bugs and some species of ladybugs all eat white flies.Garden supply stores should say if the insect they are selling will eat whiteflies.
Step 2: Purchase parasites for whitefly.
Encarsia species can be introduced to your garden to invade the whiteflies' bodies and disrupt their ability to reproduce.Most can only thrive indoors and in the tropics.
Step 3: Don't use pesticides.
Many strains of whitefly are resistant to pesticides.It is possible to increase the amount of white flies in your garden.
Step 4: Get rid of the ants.
Despite their appearance near plants, ants are not a predator of the whitefly.Some species of ants will feed on the whitefly's "honeydew" secretions, and could defend or discourage the actual predator.
Step 5: You can purchase whitefly traps.
There are whitefly traps available.They are usually bright yellow strips of sticky cardboard.It is easy to make yourself as described below.The traps will only catch adult white flies, and young wingless flies will still damage the leaves.For the best results combine this with other treatments.
Step 6: Cut your own traps.
If you want to make your own traps, start by cutting plywood or masonite board into strips that are roughly 30 centimeters long and 6 in.It's 15 cm wide.If you only have a small flowerpot or two to protect, you may use smaller plants.
Step 7: You can paint your traps bright yellow.
You can make your traps bright yellow with any type of paint.Whiteflies are attracted to this color.
Step 8: The trap should be coated with a sticky substance.
There is an equal amount of mineral oil or detergent in the mixture.Use a heavy-grade motor oil or a commercial product.Any whitefly landing on the trap will be stuck if you coat both sides of it with a paintbrush.
Step 9: They should be placed above plants.
Hang them above your plants, or stake them in the ground.The leaves should be at the same level as the stakes.A good guideline is one trap for every two large vegetable plants.
Step 10: It's a good idea to clean the traps.
There will be a lot of dead whitefly on the trap, along with dead leaves or other debris that gets stuck to them.You can catch more pests by applying the sticky substance to the traps and washing them with soap and water.
Step 11: The traps should be removed when the whiteflies are gone.
After the whitefly population is mostly dead, take down the traps.If the whitefly predator fails to keep them in control, then the traps are not recommended for a low level of infestation.
Step 12: The leaves must be removed by hand.
During a whitefly outbreak, check daily and remove the bad leaves.There are white eggs on the underside of the leaf.The leaf may be coated with a sticky or waxy substance if it is severely infested.The method works best for small gardens where you can check each plant regularly.
Step 13: Whiteflies can be sprayed or vacuumed off the leaves.
Young whiteflies can be sprayed with a hose to get them out of the leaves.In the early morning or during cool weather, use a hand-held vacuum cleaner to catch the whiteflies.After capturing the vacuum cleaner bag, put it inside a plastic bag and freeze it for 24 hours to kill the whiteflies.When the whiteflies are first noticed, this method is most helpful.If they have had a chance to lay eggs, they may stay on the leaf and start a new generation of whiteflies.Natural predators will be able to keep the population in check if the problem is minor.
Step 14: A reflective mulch can be added.
There is a layer of foil or plastic on the ground.The amount of eggs successfully laid can be reduced due to this.Special water considerations will be required for this step.Plants with plastic mulch need a irrigation system.mulch can cause plants to be too hot in hot weather.
Step 15: New or sick plants should be isolated.
If a plant is badly damaged, move it to a separate room or away from other plants.Before introducing newly acquired plants to a location with other plants, inspect the undersides of the leaves for whiteflies.
Step 16: Use it as a last resort.
In the section on natural enemies, it's stated that insecticide rarely works on whitefly populations, and may even kill the animals that feed on them.If the whitefly population in your garden is out of control, you may have nothing to lose.If your whiteflies are resistant to one of the options, you may want to choose two of them.Every five to seven days, apply an insecticidal agent to the leaves.If you plan to use an insecticidal agent on a plant, make sure it won't harm it.