
How to Get Rid of Whiteflies
With all of the joys gardening can bring, it can also come with its fair share of obstacles. One of these obstacles? Keeping your plants safe from soft-bodied insects like whiteflies.
Today, we’ll discuss what whiteflies are (because it never hurts to double-check!) and how to get rid of whiteflies on indoor plants and vegetables for good.
What are Whiteflies, Anyway?
Similar to aphids, whiteflies are tiny, soft-bodied winged insects that like to cluster on the undersides of leaves. Since whiteflies cannot survive the cold of winter, they’re often found indoors or in warm greenhouse environments or survive on outdoor plants in warmer regions. Of the hundreds of whitefly species around the world, those that are most problematic for horticulture include the following (but are not limited to):
- Greenhouse whitefly
- Bandedwinged whitefly
- Giant whitefly
- Silverleaf whitefly
If there’s one thing you can say about whiteflies, it’s that they are not picky eaters. They’ll be happy sucking sap out of everything from ornamental flowers and houseplants to warm-weather vegetables like peppers, tomatoes, okra, eggplant, the list goes on. When they feast on your indoor or greenhouse goodies, they leave behind sticky honeydew that can introduce fungal diseases to your plants’ leaves. If the whitefly infestation is severe enough, plants could become weak, leading to defoliation and possibly stunting new growth altogether.
Think You Have Whiteflies? Take Immediate Action
If you see any honeydew residue on your plants or spot whiteflies (or their eggs), it’s vital to take action sooner rather than later so you can get rid of whiteflies before they can do any more damage. At the first sign of whiteflies, we recommend spraying your plants with a hose forcefully enough to remove them from your plants, or at least interrupt their feeding frenzy until you can get the proper organic whitefly killer.
How to Get Rid of Whiteflies Without Harming Your Plants
Now that you know you have a whitefly problem, it’s time to fix it. Of course, you’ll want to get rid of whiteflies on plants without affecting the quality of your vegetables. For this reason, we recommend a garden safe insecticide.
While whitefly spray found on store shelves may kill whiteflies, many are made with synthetic chemicals that aren’t all that great for the environment (or your vegetables). With Organic Labs ORGANOCIDE® BEE SAFE Whitefly Killer, you can rest assured knowing you’re using organic whitefly control spray that’s working on contact to get rid of whiteflies without harming your vegetables, bees, or the environment.
Enjoy even more environmentally-friendly fighting power with ORGANOCIDE® BEE SAFE 3-in-1 whitefly spray, a 3-in-1 insecticide, fungicide, and miticide to rid your garden of soft-bodied insects and fungal diseases at all life stages.
When it comes to protecting your plants, staying vigilant is key. Whether you need tips on how to get rid of whiteflies on plants for a current whitefly problem, or you’re simply trying to stay one step ahead of the pesky little buggers, it’s always recommended to inspect your plants regularly before you bring them home and once they’ve reached their final destination. This will help you identify and prevent any issues before they ever start.
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