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Jun 23, 2018 2:53 PM CST
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Name: Betsy
Texas (Zone 9a)
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Both my ROS are being attacked again with white flies. Started spraying with NEEM.
Last year was very bad...but this year, I'm going to get them under control, if there is such a thing...

What do you do to rid white flies?
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Jun 23, 2018 2:58 PM CST
Name: Karen
New Mexico (Zone 8a)
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I've gotten rid of them on my tropical hibiscus by just spraying them with a hose daily. They hate that and leave, or else drown!
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Jun 26, 2018 9:17 AM CST

Imidacloprid is the only insecticide that works against them, but I understand very well all the objections about it. Neem is basically useless, unless you manage to soak the whole plant in it as it only works by contact.

If you want to try something different and environmentally harmless, try using a reflective mulch. The rationale behind it is to increase temperature and sunlight all around the plant, thus creating conditions less favorable to the spread of several pests.
Reflective mulch was originally devised to help the yield of warmth-loving crops such as eggplants and bell peppers in cooler climates but it was found to be very useful to fight pests such as aphids and White flies, bringing down their numbers and hence allowing natural predators to keep populations under control.
To see if the White flies you have are susceptible to it, buy the the largest disposable aluminum pan you can find, cut it in half and then cut a hole in the middle for your plant and cover the ground like you would with any mulch. To water and fertilize the plant merely remove one or both halves of the pan.
Given the cost and labor involved it's worth a shot.
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Last edited by ElPolloDiablo Jun 26, 2018 9:17 AM Icon for preview
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