Ridding Your Plants of White Fly

Ridding Your Plants of White Fly / PBS-TV’s Garden Rx reveals the secrets for getting rid of all those nasty little white flies on your plants.

Whiteflies can be a troublesome pest for gardeners, causing damage to plants and hindering their growth and overall health. In this episode of GardenRx with Loren Nancarrow, we will explore effective methods for ridding your plants of these pesky little insects.

1. Identify the Whiteflies: Before jumping into treatment options, it is important to correctly identify the presence of whiteflies in your garden. They are small, winged insects that typically gather on the underside of leaves. They have a white, powdery appearance and move quickly when disturbed.

2. Start with Prevention: Prevention is always the best approach when it comes to managing pests. Inspect any new plants before introducing them to your garden, as whiteflies often hitch a ride on them. Keep your garden clean and tidy, removing any garden debris that may serve as hiding spots for whitefly eggs and larvae.

3. Natural Predators: Encourage the presence of natural predators in your garden, such as ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps. These insects feed on whiteflies and can help keep their population in check. You can attract these beneficial insects by planting flowers like daisies, marigolds, and yarrow, which attract them with nectar.

4. Physical Removal: For small infestations, physical removal can be effective. Gently shake the plant or use a handheld vacuum cleaner to suck up the adult whiteflies. Make sure to dispose of the captured insects properly to prevent reinfestation.

5. Homemade Solutions: Several homemade remedies can help control whiteflies. One simple option is to make a solution of mild dish soap and water. Spray the solution on the affected plant leaves, focusing on the underside where whiteflies reside. Repeat the process every few days until the infestation diminishes.6. Neem Oil: Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can effectively control whiteflies. Mix the oil with water as per the instructions on the bottle and spray it on the affected plants. Neem oil disrupts the life cycle of whiteflies and prevents them from reproducing.

7. Insecticidal Soap: Insecticidal soaps containing potassium salts of fatty acids can also be used to combat whiteflies. These soaps penetrate the insects’ outer shells, suffocating and killing them. Follow the instructions on the product label for proper application.

8. Beneficial Nematodes: Beneficial nematodes are tiny parasitic worms that feed on whitefly larvae in the soil. These can be purchased from garden centers and applied to the soil around affected plants. They help control the whitefly population by interrupting their life cycle.Remember, it may take some time and a combination of methods to effectively manage a whitefly infestation. Regular monitoring and consistent treatment are key to overcoming this stubborn pest.

By implementing these strategies from GardenRx with Loren Nancarrow, you can successfully rid your plants of whiteflies and restore your garden’s health

Make your own pesticide with our organic recipe

1 cup water, ¾ cup alcohol – mix and spray on plants. Always check for burning first. You can spray the solutions on and wait a few minutes for it to kill the whitefly and then spray it off with clear water as other option.