| Date: Fri, 31 Mar 2000 14:52:11 +0100 From: [email protected] Subject: Gardener's Q and A [QNA200004010000029719744] To: [email protected] X-IMC-From: [email protected] X-IMC-To: <[email protected]> X-IMC-Subject: Gardener's Q and A Sender : [email protected] Tracking Number : QNA200004010000029719744 Pool : QA Sent to : <[email protected]> Date : 3/31/00 3:53 PM --- Forwarded by: David Grist (no comments entered) --- Question recieved from: Jennifer Lewis Amelia, Virginia 23002 County: Amelia Country: USA Email: [email protected] Mailing list (nothing means 'no'): White flies Category: Pest Control Is there a room bomb for white flies? We have tried sprays that go right on the plant, and they keep coming back. thanks! |
| Whiteflies are tenacious because they reproduce rapidly in warm temperatures. Outdoors, cold will eventually kill them off but since you indoors that won't help. A strong blast of water from the hose often works, but that's impractical for you so try a soapy water spray, using a hand held spritzer. Spray underneath leaves where they hang out. Do this daily if you notice insects. Use 1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons of liquid detergent soap per gallon of water. Use regular, not concentrated soap. Don't use soaps with lemon, as the citric acid can burn plants. Start with the lower amount and work up as needed. Spray as often as needed. As with any spray you might wish to test it on a few leaves first before you treat all your plants. Spray early in the morning before the sun heats up. Whiteflies are attracted to the color yellow. You can purchase or make yellow "sticky" traps from yellow cardboard smeared with petroleum jelly. They fly to it and get stuck. Next on my list would be an insecticidal soap spray. The insecticidal soaps are made from plant-derived fatty acids and target soft-bodied insects. There is really no effective chemical spray for whiteflies but researchers are working on it. I'm afraid you'll just have to keep after the problem on a regular basis until you get them under control. |
