How to Control White Fly

White Fly (or White Flies) are insect pests that live primarily on the undersides of plant leaves.  They are exceptionally small and are a huge problem in Greenhouses as they can make it through even the smallest of screens.  They multiply very rapidly and cause a great deal of damage – in fact, in three different ways.

First of all, they suck out juices from the undersides of leaves.  Not good but that is just the beginning.  They then secrete what is known as ‘Honeydew” which is a rich sugary liquid that is basically pooped out of the White Fly as they suck on the plants.  It is not just any old poop – the sugar-rich Honeydew grows an unsightly black mold.  It is ugly and the mold blocks the sunlight from reaching the leaves - so the plant cannot perform photosynthesis, the very necessary process of gathering energy from the sun. 

And there is more…

They inject their saliva into plants which is the biggest problem as their saliva carries a wide variety of plant diseases.  So, White Fly suck, poop and spread diseases wherever they go. 

Get you some Greenbug Ready to Use or some Greenbug Concentrate that has been properly diluted and put it in a hand or pump sprayer.  If one plant is infested, a hand sprayer is fine.  If it is multiple plants or one large plant, a pump sprayer is the best bet.

Firstly, spray the top of the plant like it is raining Greenbug.  This helps create a barrier these suckers will not cross as they typically fly straight upwards when you come after them.  After saturating the top of the plant, start at the bottom spraying the underneath sides of the leaves as best as you can.  Move in circles around the plant so as not to miss any area as you circle upwards towards the top.

The Greenbug offers contact control which means you will need to make sure you have contact with each individual White Fly.  Since there are probably thousands, you can see why controlling White Fly is not a one and done deal.

Do the exact same thing the very next day.  And the next.  By the third day, you should not see hardly any evidence of White Fly as you treat the plant.

If you ever have reason to suspect White Fly, get on it as soon as possible.  The damage they cause can be swift AND if can take a while to present itself when it is sometimes too late (those pesky plant diseases take a while to present…).

Trust knowing that the Greenbug is safe – even on vegetables – and can tackle a White Fly infestation within days.  And you can get back to the rest of your life without the fear of the dreaded 3-part problem known as White Flies.