Use these tips to naturally get rid of whitflies on plants, whether they are placed indoors or outdoors.
Whiteflies are commonplant peststhat affect outdoor and indoor plants and plants grown in greenhouses.
If you suspect youre dealing with whiteflies, it’s crucial that you act fast.
Credit:Tomasz Klejdysz / Getty Images
What Are Whiteflies?
Whiteflies are small, flying insects with yellow-to-white, triangular bodies that measure about 1/12-inch long.
Despite their name, whiteflies arent flies; they are closelyrelated to mealybugsand aphids.
Credit:Dean Schoeppner
Like their plant pest cousins, whiteflies feed on plant sap and are most active during the day.
After the larvae have fed enough, they pupate and turn into mature whiteflies with wings.
Like aphids and mealybugs, whiteflies weaken plants as they feed, making it harder for plants to photosynthesize.
If you suspect your plants are infested, gently shake the leaves.
If small, white insects fly out, chances are good you have a whitefly problem.
How to Get Rid of Whiteflies
Preventing whitefly infestations before they happen is always the best option.
Spray plants with a garden hose to dislodge adult and larval whiteflies.
While soap sprays are effective, youll get even better results using multiple treatment methods.
This tactic is known as integrated pest management (IPM).
You may also want to release beneficial insects into your garden.
Of course, dont forget to monitor your plants regularly to ensure whiteflies dont creep back into your garden.
That means providing regular water, the right amount of sun, and a little fertilizer.
Plants likenasturtiumsand marigoldsare known to repel many pests,while sunflowersandzinnias attractpredatory insects andhummingbirds that feed on whiteflies.
Hummingbirds and some songbird species also hunt for whiteflies and feed them to their young.
Whiteflies naturally occur in gardens, but theyre particularly drawn to certain plants, such astropical hibiscusand mulberries.
This might not be the most effective method, but it can work.
Although they can harm your plants, they are not going to significantly harm your health.
They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases.
However, they can cause a mild allergic reaction in some people.
Reflective Mulches on Whiteflies.
University of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.
