Ideas for rid of whiteflies on houseplants

The common name for "whitefly" is more than 1500 species of aphids and aphids belonging to the genus Aleyrodidae. These small, heart-shaped flies are usually no more than 1/10 inch long. If the attack is intense, when a plant is hit or moved, a cloud of white flies will suddenly fly in the air like exploding snow. This phenomenon is a way to identify a white fly infestation.

Whiteflies are found indoors and outdoors, but they are also a big problem in greenhouses and indoor houseplants because the cold weather keeps outdoor people in check. Whiteflies are borer and sucking insects that weaken a plant, although it is very rare for a plant to actually be killed. Internal whitefly infestation quickly gets out of control, so it is best to treat whiteflies at the first signs of attack.

White fly damage

These annoying pests are not only a bad surprise to plant owners but also cause problems for the health of the plant. Nymphs and various larval stages attach to the soft tissues of the plant and feed on the plant and secrete nectar, which increases the risk of fungal diseases and attracts other insects such as ants. You can see the black mouse print growing on the sticky honey secreted by the white flies.2 Whiteflies hatch from small, conical eggs that are small insects that can travel on plant stems. The scales melt into nymphs and then go through several stages of development before they emerge as adult flies and go into a brief resting state. At each stage of their development, the insects continue to feed.

The entire life cycle is only about 18 days, but this varies with temperature. In hot climates, they reproduce rapidly, and in colder climates, the growth cycle is considerably slower.2.

7 Ways to Get Rid of White Flies on Houseplants

Like most pests, the best control for whiteflies is strong protection. Healthy, vigorous plants are less susceptible to infection than weak, inferior, and stressed plants. As a general rule, make sure your plants are healthy and that they are less susceptible to infection.

If you find white flies on your indoor plants, there are many ways to control them. Since these pests are known to develop resistance to pesticides, even organic matter, mechanical controls are the first option to try.

Vacuum the insects

Use your vacuum cleaner hose attachment to suck up adult white flies (but be careful not to damage the plant). Make sure freshly hatched white flies do not escape from your vacuum bag.

Spray with water

For plants that are firm enough to take this treatment, you can put the whole pot in the pot and spray well with a pipe sprayer. It often excretes white flies adults, larvae, and eggs. Inspect each leaf and spray.

Use sticky traps

The same adhesive tape that works for house flies can be applied to white flies. If possible, hang it from the affected plant and follow the label instructions. Sticky traps trapped in tanks perform the same function.

Spray with insecticide soap

Buy pesticide soaps like Saffron Pesticide Soap or make your own using simple dish soaps like Ivory Liquid. Try to find a product that does not contain fragrances and additives that are harmful to plants. Mix the soap to a weak concentration in water (starting with one teaspoon per gallon of water and increasing the required amount). Spray on plants. This will help control the population but it is not possible to eradicate them completely.

Use neem oil

Neem oil is derived from the neem tree. In addition to its insecticidal properties, neem oil has antifungal and systemic benefits, meaning that some oils are absorbed by the plant and provide permanent protection. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), neem oil is safe to use in vegetables and food plants, and ornamentals. Many applications may be required.

Create your own insect spray

Add a clove of garlic, a pinch of onion, and a teaspoon of umbrella pepper to the food processor or blender and process into a paste, you can create an all-purpose pesticide spray. In a tumbler of water mix and soak for an hour. Strain through a cheesecloth and add a tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Mix well and apply the mixture as a leaf spray. The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Use pyrethrin spray

Although synthetic chemical pesticides should generally be avoided for indoor plants, pyrethrin sprays are much safer to use because the active ingredient chrysanthemum is extracted from flowers. However, some of these insecticides des commonly referred to as pyrethroids, add chemical components to pure pyrethrin to enhance the action of the pesticide. These can not be considered organic pesticides, so use them with extreme caution.4

Before using pesticides, read the label's instructions carefully and make sure it is used to control whiteflies.