• Main Area
  • Member’s Area
  • Trade Area

Home \ Pests/Diseases \ Pests \ Whitefly

Whitefly

Whitefly

Description

Whitefly set up home and live out their lives on the underside of leaves. As adults they are about 2mm long with white wings, which give them their name. The adults lay eggs which hatch into yellowy green scale-like nymphs which become pupae before reaching adulthood. Three generations living under the same leaf and all of them feeding on the sap of the plant.

Symptoms

In the garden, Whitefly are fond of Azaleas, Rhododendron, Honeysuckle – not forgetting Cabbages. Indoors, in the conservatory or in the greenhouse they’re less picky and will feed on many houseplants, ornamentals and vegetables. There’s usually little visible damage to the plants themselves, but brush past an infested plant or close the greenhouse door sharply and you’ll see a ‘white cloud’ rise from the underneath the leaves. If the infestation is left untreated things change.

They feed on sap and they excrete a sticky honeydew which drops on to lower foliage. A black sooty mould develops. Very unsightly. Whitefly can also spread viruses.

Treatment and control

Spray fruit & vegetables with a natural insecticide

Pyrethrin based insecticides will control Whitefly and other plant pests. An example is Nature's Answer Natural Fungus & Bug Killer. For best results spray thoroughly as Pyrethrins kill on contact.

Spray ornamentals with a systemic insecticide

For treatment of ornamental plants only, spray with a systemic insecticide. Examples are BugClear Ultra Concentrate for Flowering Plants and BugClear Ultra Gun! for Flowering Plants

Greenhouses and conservatories

In greenhouses and conservatories ‘sticky’ traps can help control.

Always read the label. Use pesticides safely.

Back to Top | Back to Pests

Sign up for our monthly garden tips and advice newsletter for free offers and competitions
Find out where to buy our gardening products
Real gardening advice from real gardeners
WIN an Apple iPad
WIN an Autumn Garden Care Kit worth over £100

Related products:

BugClear Gun! for Fruit & Veg

BugClear Gun! for Fruit & Veg

Fast-acting natural insecticide for use on all fruit and vegetables. Ready to use – spray today, eat tomorrow.

BugClear for Fruit & Veg

BugClear for Fruit & Veg Concentrate

Fast-acting natural insect killer for vegetables, fruit and flowers. Same day spray and eat.

  • Miracle-Gro Brand
  • Miracle-Gro Brand
  • Organic Choice Brand
  • EverGreen Brand
  • Levington Brand
  • Weedol Brand
  • Pathclear Brand
  • Roundup Brand
  • Clear Brand
  • Home Defence Brand
  • Brintons Brand

Latest blog entries

20/08/10

15:02

Blooming marvellous

23/07/10

09:10

Millions Of UK Gardeners Prepare To Face Hose Pipe Bans

05/07/10

17:38

Keep Summer Flowers Looking Their Best - For Longer

Latest forum posts

30/08/10

16:34 by geejay

toadstool problem

30/08/10

13:31 by Grant

Correct order for scarifying, feeding and repairing the lawn?

30/08/10

12:42 by SueH

compost from blight affected plants

Featured user photos

< Previous Photo Next Photo >

Image

Leyland Cypress 15' x 40' x 8' - depth

Image

St John Ambulance Giant Plant Sale

Image

Eastbrook Primary School Garden

Image

Top of the toms

Image

Wisley Filming

Image

A welcome visitor!

Image

Photo sent in by Mr Price of his Christmas Cactus

Image

Chelsea Baskets

Keep informed

  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Site Map | Product Ingredients | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Careers | Contact Us

© 2005-2010 The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company

  • Home
  • Lawns
    • Spring Lawn Care
    • Summer Lawn Care
    • Autumn Lawn Care
    • Lawn Cutting
    • Lawn Watering
    • Lawn Feeding
    • Lawn Seeding/Repairing
    • Lawn Problems
    • Lawn Weeding
    • Lawn Moss Control
    • More articles on Lawns…
  • Planting/Growing
    • Plant Feeding
    • Composts
  • Weeds
    • Weed Finder
    • Definition Of A Weed
    • Types Of Weed
    • Ways To Treat Weeds
    • Outdoor Hard Surface Cleaning
    • Removing Weeds By Hand
    • Using Weedkillers
    • Weeds In Beds and Borders
    • Weeds in Paths and Patios
    • Lawn (Selective) Weedkillers
    • More articles on Weeds…
  • Pests/Diseases
    • The Plant Doctor
    • A-Z of Pests
    • A-Z of Diseases
  • Grow Your Own
    • A-Z of Vegetables
    • A-Z of Fruit
    • Create a Vegetable Garden
    • Crop Rotation Explained
  • Projects
    • It's time to Patch Magic Your Lawn
    • It's time to Gro Your Own Fruit & Veg
    • It's time to Get Rid Of Those Pesky Weeds
    • It's time to Feed Your Plants Easily
    • It's time to Grow Your Own Pizza
    • It's time to Grow Your Own Sunday Roast
    • It's time to Get A Great Lawn
    • It's time to Get Vertical
    • It's time to Make Your Houseplants Happy
    • It's time to Get Some Kerb Appeal
    • More Projects…
  • Product Details
    • Grass Seed
    • Lawn Care
    • Plant Feeding
    • Composts
    • Weed Control
    • Pest & Disease Control
    • Hard Surface
  • Where To Buy
  • Garden Blog
  • Forums
Garden Advice and Tips: LoveTheGarden.com