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Whiteflies are tiny bugs that feed on plants by sucking the sap out of the foliage. They cluster on the undersides of the leaves and their population can double in a short time.
As the name would suggest, they look like tiny white flies. It’s easy to identify them because the adults will fly around frantically when you disturb the infested leaves.
– Unknowingly bringing home a new plant that’s already infested. – Using contaminated potting soil. – Putting your houseplants outside during the summer. – Bringing in fresh flowers, herbs, fruits, or vegetables from the garden. – Through window screens (since they’re so small, they can easily crawl in).
Use an organic insecticidal soap, or make your own by mixing my homemade whitefly spray recipe in a clean bottle: – 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap – 1 liter of tepid water
Neem oil is a natural insecticide that works great to eliminate whiteflies, and it also has a residual effect to prevent them from coming back.
In addition to cleaning and spraying the leaves, you can trim off the most heavily infested ones and throw them into the garbage (outside of the house).
One great method to try is hanging a yellow sticky trap from the top branches, or use a few in and around larger plants.
– Check your the leaves regularly – Quarantine all new Plants – Clean and debug plants before bringing them back indoors. – Use neem oil as preventive.