--- title: "How to Get Rid of Whiteflies on Plants" description: "Whiteflies can devastate vegetable gardens and ornamental plants. Follow these steps to eradicate the pests naturally, and prevent their return." date: "2021-06-21" modified: "2024-02-22" authors: - name: "Glenda Taylor" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/glenda-taylor/" - name: "BobVila.com Staff" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/bob-vila-staff/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-whiteflies/" categories: - "DIY" - "Garden Pests" - "Gardening" - "Lawn & Garden" - "Pest Control" tags: - "How To" --- # How to Get Rid of Whiteflies on Plants ![Many whiteflies on the undersides of a plant's leaves.]() *istockphoto.com Photo: istockphoto.com* The first sign of a budding whitefly infestation might be a host of tiny white flying insects rising from a plant when its leaves are disturbed. If left untreated, whiteflies (*Trialeurodes vaporariorum*) can quickly overtake a plant, penetrating the stems and sucking out the lifegiving juices within. ## What are whiteflies? Whiteflies are related to mealybugs and aphids, but not household flies, and are identified by their yellow-hued bodies and two sets of white wings. [Studies]() show there are at least 115 species of whiteflies that feed on both [houseplants]() and outdoor plants, and they propagate rapidly during the warm summer season. “High temperatures alongside high humidity levels create optimal conditions for whitefly population booms,” says Shawn Gleason, an entomologist and founder of [Bugs Encyclopedia](). Getting rid of them requires vigilance and persistence, but it's doable. Best of all, you won't need to resort to harmful pesticides. [Research]() shows that whiteflies have a life cycle of six distinct stages: the egg; the first, second, third, and fourth larval stages (sometimes referred to as the immature stages); and the adult stage. ![Close up of whiteflies.]() *Photo: commons.wikimedia.org* *Bemisia tabaci*, a [common type of whitefly](), lays eggs on both sides of plant leaves, with 82 degrees Fahrenheit being the optimal temperature for growth. The eggs are small and white, hatching in just 5 to 9 days. Adults emerge after about 16 to 31 days. Whiteflies have over 150 natural predators such as ladybird beetles, predaceous bugs, lacewings, phytoseid mites, and spiders, which can help keep their populations in check. By introducing these predators into affected areas or creating habitats that attract them, you can effectively control whitefly infestations without the need for chemical pesticides. “Beneficial insects play a crucial role in controlling whiteflies organically,” Gleason explains. “Noteworthy predators include *Encarsia formosa* (a parasitic wasp) and various species of lady beetles that feed voraciously on whitefly larvae.” ### MATERIALS AND TOOLS A few common ingredients and some simple tools can be used for eradicating whiteflies. You probably won't need all of these items to get rid of the insects, but you'll need at least a few to keep whiteflies from setting up residence in your garden. [Handheld vacuum]() [Garden nippers]() or [pruning shears]() [Spray bottle]() [Liquid dish soap]() [Earthworm castings]() [Neem oil]() Companion plants, such as [marigolds](), chives, and dill ## Before You Begin At the first indication that whiteflies are settling on plants, some growers reach for toxic chemicals to control them. Though this strategy might work, [research shows]() that whiteflies have developed resistance to some pesticides. The following steps to eradicating these tiny destroyers involve some manual labor, and mixing up an inexpensive, natural DIY repellent. Controlling whiteflies via chemical-free means is better for the environment, and the right choice for treating food-producing plants. ## 4 Steps to Eradicating Whiteflies in the Garden ### Step 1: Vacuum infected plants. ![Person using handheld vacuum on plants.]() *Photo: gemplers.com* The first step in stopping whiteflies is to get them off the plant. Shooing them away or flicking them off won’t work. They'll come right back. Instead, suck the insects up with a small [handheld vacuum](). Vacuuming will remove the flies and their larvae—just be sure to lift the leaves and vacuum the undersides as well. Vacuuming can also be helpful in controlling other types of indoor pests. Once you’ve hoovered the little pests, don't dump the collection bin in the trash. The whiteflies will fly out and head back to the plants again. A better idea is to dump the little buggers into a plastic bag, and seal the bag before throwing it away. ### Step 2: Remove the most damaged leaves from the plant. Whiteflies tend to feed on one leaf and then another, sucking out all the leaf's juices before moving on to the next one. When this happens, the plant continues to send energy to the damaged leaves until they're removed, though the damaged leaves are well past saving. - Using a sharp garden nipper or [pruning shears](), clip off wilted leaves as well as those that are covered in a sticky, waxy fluid. The fluid, called honeydew, is secreted by the whiteflies after ingesting the plant's vital juices. - Seal the clipped-off leaves in a plastic bag before tossing them in the trash. ### Step 3: Clean leaves and stems with a DIY whitefly spray. A simple solution made from liquid dish soap and water will kill adult whiteflies without harming plants. - Add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap to 1 gallon of water and mix well. - Pour the solution into a plastic spray bottle and spray it on all infested plants, saturating the leaves' upper and undersides and the stems. The dish soap solution will kill adult whiteflies. If eggs remain on the plants, they will hatch in 3 to 4 days and reinfest them. Be sure to respray affected plants every couple of days to kill any whiteflies that have hatched in the meantime. ### Step 4: Bolster plant and soil health. ![Using garden tool to add fertilizer.]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Keeping plants healthy by watering and [fertilizing]() will make them strong enough to survive a whitefly infestation. A weak plant will succumb more quickly than a healthy one. If you find that whiteflies are a persistent problem in the garden or on your indoor plants, consider adding [earthworm]() castings to your soil. Earthworm castings repel whiteflies and, as castings decompose, they become organic fertilizer to boost the plant's health. Castings can also be sprinkled on leaves to keep whiteflies away. ## How to Prevent Whiteflies in the Garden ![Spraying raised bed garden.]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Keeping a close eye on your garden will allow you to get rid of whiteflies before they can damage or kill your plants. Additionally, “regular monitoring of plants for early signs of infestation coupled with maintaining plant health through proper nutrition helps deter whiteflies,” Gleason says. “Reflective mulches can also disorient these pests, reducing their likelihood of settling on your plants.” [Neem oil](), an extract of the seeds of neem trees, can get rid of whiteflies without harming plants. This natural pesticide repels whiteflies and can be applied to plants at the first sight of a white-winged pest. Neem oil comes in various forms, including concentrated liquid that can be diluted in water and sprayed on plants. It is also available as a granular that can be mixed into the soil, or a dust that can be applied to leaves and stems. Follow the package directions for use. ### Think about long-term protection. It's not always easy to spot a whitefly infestation and stop the bugs before they substantially damage plants, which is why taking steps to repel the insects is just as important, if not more so, as treating existing infestations. Companion planting can help. [Plants that naturally repel]() whiteflies include catnip, bee balm, basil, chives, dill, and marigolds. By planting these natural repellents in the garden, whiteflies, and other pests such as [spider mites]() are less likely to move in. ## FAQs ## Final Thoughts Without quick action, whiteflies can severely damage or destroy many types of plants, including squash, cucumber, tomatoes, and other warm-season vegetables. They can also damage roses and other ornamentals. Citrus trees are not immune to whiteflies, either. The good news is that these methods for stopping a whitefly infestation and preventing future ones [will not harm plants or the environment](). ## Author Glenda Taylor is a BobVila.com staff writer with a background in the residential remodeling, home building, and home improvement industries. She started writing for BobVila.com in 2016 and covers a range of topics, including construction methods, code compliance, tool use, and the latest news in the housing and real estate industries.