If you find little white bugs on plants, clambering over leaves in a group, or flying in a swarm when a plant is disturbed, you are most likely dealing with a whitefly. Whiteflies are frequent plant pests that harm both indoor and outdoor plants, as well as greenhouse-grown plants. Read on this blog to learn how to get rid of whitefly.
How to Identify Whitefly?
Whiteflies are tiny, flying insects with triangle bodies ranging in colour from yellow to white and are about 1/12 of an inch long. Whiteflies, in spite of their name, do not actually fly; instead, they look like mealybugs and aphids. Whiteflies are primarily active during the day and feed on plant sap, identical to those plant pests.
The wings of an adult whitefly measure around 2 mm in length. The females of whitefly eggs are oblong, flat, and resemble scales. They are known as pupae and may have hairs or a white, waxy secretion on their upper surface before they reach adulthood.
How to Get Rid of Whitefly?
There are several remedies and traps you can employ to manage whiteflies. Most importantly, get started early! Check the backs of the leaves for eggs or note when little bugs ‘fly away’ when you approach your plants in the mornings and evenings while you stroll in the garden or take care of your houseplants.
As with aphids and many other insect pests, always begin by squirting whiteflies with your watering hose or a spray bottle. They will disperse as a result, partially uprooting nymphs and eggs.
Think about applying insecticidal soap to the leaves of your plants, making sure to follow the instructions on the container. Remember to mist the leaf undersides as well. Observe twice or three times, if required.
The NGA states that the following easy DIY mixture should help keep whiteflies under control and discourage them: Use water mixed with dish soap. A gallon of water and a generous dab of soap suffice. As previously said, spraying later in the day when the temperature is lower is ideal.
Since whiteflies are very difficult to eradicate and the NGA mixture is a relatively safe combination, it is advisable to try extra preventative measures first, as detailed below.
In the event that all else fails and the whitefly population persists, you can hoover your plants with a handheld device every few days. This eliminates adults as well as nymphs. If you are struggling with the steps, you can contact Empire Pest Control anytime to get rid of those tiny invaders.
How To Prevent From Whitefly?
Checking your plants for pests before bringing them home and separating new acquisitions from existing plants for a while should be your first line of defence. This will enable you to recognise and address any current disease or pest problems.
The presence of natural predators will keep the population of whiteflies from ever taking off. Because of this, avoid using insecticides. Among the many helpful insects that can manage a whitefly population are ladybirds, spiders, green lacewing larvae, and dragonflies.
Still, another natural predator is the hummingbird. Consider establishing an environment that will draw lovely hummingbirds, dragonflies, and damselflies, which are beneficial since they devour mosquitoes.
Conclusion
Save your garden from being ruined by whiteflies! You can efficiently combat these annoying pests and maintain the health of your plants by following these suggestions and tactics. With the right tactics and professional pest control services help, you can quickly eliminate those pests and care for gardening. So take out your hose, let your inner gardener loose, and bid the whiteflies a fond farewell!