OMG! I found a small infestation of whiteflies on the tomato seedling I won at GYC’s chilifest. This happened just as the tomato seeds I planted four or five days ago are beginning to sprout. I’m wracking my brain to figure out where the heck these pests came from. The prime suspect is the soil mixture that came with my Amaryllis. I found some tiny black creatures swarming around it when the first stalk set out its blossoms. I crushed them with RAID. When I tried the RAID on the whitefly and they didn’t even stop flying.
Another suspect is the pale yellow Poinsettia I rescued from the club. It’s on the list because it too is covered with whiteflies and the honeydew they exude. So both Poinsettia and Amaryllis have been moved out outside into the cold and I built a system to deal with white flies that might still be around. First, all of the house plants in the craft room have been moved out. Then I constructed some yellow strips covered with vaseline to put in each plant near the original outbreak and finally I firmly but gently crushed all the critters on the original tomato plant. The plan is that the whiteflies will be attracted to the bright yellow color and fly up to the strip and stick in the gloppy vaseline.
5 responses to “whitefly 911!”
Nell Jean
March 16th, 2011 at 18:43
I would suspect the poinsettia, always a magnet for white fly.
When I see whitefly, I spray with soapy (real soap, not detergent) water with a little vegetable oil added. If you want a shortcut, spray with Murphy’s Oil Soap. First warmish day, I would take everybody outside and give them a good spritz, soll included.
I’m not an ‘green’ maniac. I just find taking the easy way to work for me. In the greenhouse I let various toads and anole lizards feast on the bugs. Once toxic sprays are started you may have to keep it up because all the food chain gets all out of adjustment.
sewandsowgardens
March 16th, 2011 at 19:45
Thanks Nell. I remember my mother using soap suds on aphids I think. I don’t mind dousing a fully grown poinsettia but kind of shied away from agressive handling of a 6 week old seedling.
Nell Jean
March 16th, 2011 at 20:17
I forgot to say I mist tiny plants with a spray bottle, gently spray bigger ones with a pump-up sprayer hoping to catch whiteflies midflight. If I’m dubious of delicate foliage, I follow the soap spray with clear water misting.
karen
March 16th, 2011 at 20:54
I’m with Nell:) It CAN’T be the Amaryllis! LOL. I also like the “green” approach:) very good, indeed. Happy ALMOST spring!!
sewandsowgardens
March 16th, 2011 at 21:49
Thanks Karen,
I gues when the threat is coming toward me in the house I react with chemicals. Normally I tend to ignore the chemical remedies outside in the garden. Truth to tell the bottom line is protecting my investment……..my bad!