Whiteflies or whitefly (of the order Himiptera, with more than 1500 species) are insects with a shape like a moth or aphids that are white and small. These insects are in groups and reproduce in large numbers on the underside of the leaves. Nymphs and adults damage plants directly by eating them and spreading disease. This insect will be difficult to eradicate once the attack has reached the roots. You may need to apply several treatments over the course of a few weeks, and you may also need to trim the plants.
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Part 1 of 4: Using Natural Solutions
Step 1. Suck up the fly
Use a small hand vacuum, or use the furniture cleaning nozzles found in standard vacuum cleaners. Surround infested plants and suck out the pests from the underside of the leaves. This method is quick and easy, and can eliminate whiteflies at all stages of their developmental cycle, from larvae to adult insects that eat plants. Vacuuming is the most effective way if it is done as soon as you know of this pest attack.
When the suction bag is full of whiteflies, close the bag tightly. Place the vacuum bag in an airtight plastic bag, then place in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours to kill the insects. When all the flies are dead, throw the contents of the vacuum bag in the trash
Step 2. Remove severely diseased leaves and branches
Use pruning shears to do the pruning, but don't let the plant die. You can also pick infested leaves by hand. Look for the white wingless eggs and chicks on the underside of the leaves. Leaves that have been severely infested with pests may become coated in a sticky or waxy liquid (honeydew), which is produced when nymphs ingest fluids present in the plant. The leaves can also look wilted and pale.
- Do the pruning without disturbing the health of the plant. If only a small part of the plant is affected by pests, do pruning only the affected leaves. If the plant is already strong, try cutting it up to the stem to stop its path of attack.
- Dispose of diseased leaves properly. Burn the leaves or put them in an airtight bag. Whitefly attacks can come back if you do not handle the affected leaves carefully.
Step 3. Prepare to re-handle
The development process of the white fly occurs in 4 stages: starting from the egg, hatching into a nymph, turning into a pupa, to becoming an adult fly. Each extermination method usually targets only a specific stage in the fly's life cycle. So, if you apply a method to get rid of adult flies, you still have to carry out treatment until all eggs that have developed into adult flies are eradicated. This treatment must be done quickly and diligently so that the new adult flies do not have the opportunity to lay eggs.
- Nymphs and adult flies are two stages that can cause physical damage to plants. However, the young whiteflies will become adults which are much more destructive if not controlled.
- For the best treatment period, check the life span and stage of the type of whitefly attacking your plant. Each species (including the Silverleaf, Fig, Bandedwing, and Greenhouse whiteflies) has a different life span.
Step 4. Wash the plant using a soap solution
Pay more attention to the undersides of the leaves as most whiteflies live there. Note that this method will only kill adult flies. Wash every 3 or 4 days to kill any new whiteflies that emerge from the pupa. Depending on the type of fly, you may need to continue this treatment for a few weeks until the infestation is gone.
If you are using a very concentrated soap solution, do this method in the afternoon to avoid burning the leaves
Step 5. Bring in natural predators
Many other insects like to prey on whiteflies, and perhaps you can control their attacks by bringing the right predators into the ecosystem. The exact predator depends on the type of whitefly attacking the plant. Try the green lacewing, koksi beetle, ladybug, minute pirate bug, big eyed flea, wasp, and damsel flea.
Be careful when introducing new insect species into the garden. These predatory insects may be able to cope with a whitefly attack, but you may be in trouble because of the large number of new fleas! Seek information before applying this method
Part 2 of 4: Using Traps
Step 1. Use the sticky yellow trap
These traps can be purchased at garden supply stores, or you can make your own at home. Make your own trap by coating the surface of a sturdy, yellow object (wood or cardboard) with a non-drying adhesive. Some good choices include glue, motor oil, honey, or petroleum jelly. White flies are attracted to yellow. When the fly gets into the yellow trap, it gets trapped in the glue.
- If you make your own traps, you may need to apply the adhesive again once the adhesive has dried. Glue, for example, will dry in a few minutes or hours. Petroleum jelly or motor oil may be less effective, but they stay sticky for a longer time.
- Don't forget to pick up the trap if you're spraying or washing, or if you're bringing in natural predators.
Step 2. Place the trap near the leaves
Whiteflies tend to live in groups on the underside of leaves, and the traps will catch more flies if placed near the insect's natural habitat.
Step 3. Know when to take traps
Take the trap when the whiteflies have died, and there are only a few flies trapped each day. These traps also have the potential to kill white fly predators. So, this method may not be suitable for dealing with less severe whitefly attacks, unless the predator can't control the whitefly. When the whitefly population returns to its original number, you can re-attach the trap.
Part 3 of 4: Repel White Flies
Step 1. Repel whiteflies with companion plants
In addition to nasturtiums, French and Mexican marigolds can also repel whiteflies. Place companion plants in the garden to keep pests from coming back! Be aware that this is a preventative measure, and not a good solution to an existing pest attack.
Marigolds and calendula are not effective at repelling whiteflies. Make sure you choose the right variety! If you're not sure, visit the nursery and ask specifically about companion plants that can repel whiteflies
Step 2. Spray your plants with a mixture made of water, soap and alcohol
Mix 2:5 alcohol and water in a 1 liter spray bottle, then add a tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Spray the plants affected by the whitefly attack with the mixture. If you do it in moderation, the spray will not harm the plant. This will prevent flies from placing larvae there.
Try using a natural tree oil spray, such as Neem oil
Step 3. Spread earthworm castings at the base of the plant
Earthworm droppings, when added to fertilizer at the base of plants infested with whiteflies, can repel the flies within a few weeks or months. As an added bonus, earthworm droppings are a natural, nutrient-rich fertilizer that can stimulate plant growth. Purchase earthworm droppings at a gardening store.
Step 4. Cover the ground with a light-reflecting material
Spread a layer of aluminum foil or plastic mulch that reflects light around plants that are susceptible to whiteflies. Adult whiteflies will find it difficult to find a host plant so that the pest cannot place their eggs on the plant.
- This method must be accompanied by a special irrigation system. Plants surrounded by plastic mulch should use a drip irrigation system.
- Do not use mulch in hot weather. Excessive use of mulch can overheat the plant.
Part 4 of 4: Using Chemicals
Step 1. Understand the risks and benefits of using insecticides
On the one hand, commercial pesticides can sometimes be an effective way to get rid of pests quickly. However, whiteflies are very resistant to chemicals. In addition, chemicals are often toxic to other organisms in the surrounding ecosystem, including domesticated plants and insects in your garden, pets and wildlife, and even your family. Use pesticides as a last resort.
Step 2. Know that whiteflies can easily build resistance to pesticides
It is true that whitefly eggs and pupae are able to withstand common insecticides. If you use chemicals, alternate them with rotations every few days so the whiteflies don't have a chance to adapt. Even so, it is likely that the whitefly will still be able to adapt. Maybe you can unwittingly form a super fly that is resistant to chemicals.
Warning
- It is recommended that you repeat these cleaning steps for maintenance.
- Insecticides can be effective tools, but they can also be dangerous if swallowed. Most insecticides used to treat whiteflies have been linked to death and large-scale reductions in bee numbers. Bees are indispensable for pollinating flowering plants.
