How to get rid of whiteflies for good?
Need an effective treatment against whiteflies ? Here's our step-by-step guide to eliminate them without toxic products in indoor plants or small greenhouses.
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You will need :
•Scissors / Pruners
•Plastic bags
•Black soap
•Basin
•Cloth / Fine brush
Natural predators :
•Bulk swirskii
•Encarsias formosa
•Swirskii sachets (optional)
You will need :
•Scissors / Pruners
•Plastic bags
•Black soap
•Sprayer
Natural predators :
•Bulk swirskii
•Encarsias formosa
•Swirskii sachets (optional)
Preparation
Cut off damaged leaves
The most damaged leaves usually harbor whitefly pupae. If possible, cut them off.
Remove debris
Remove dead leaves and other debris that may interfere with the treatment.
Wrap the pot
Wrap the pot in a plastic bag to protect the root ball during the treatment.
Cleaning
(Normal)
Prepare a work space
Prepare a work space that can get wet; ideally outside, in the sink or in the bathtub.
Adjust the water
Use the strongest stream of water possible without damaging the plant. (hose, faucet, shower head, etc.).
Wash the leaves and stems
Generously spray all leaves and stems, paying close attention to the underside of the leaves. Cover all angles in several passes.
Cleaning
(Non-washable plants)
Prepare the basin
Prepare a basin of black soap solution. Dissolve five tablespoons per liter of warm water.
Wash the leaves and stems
Clean all the leaves by rubbing them with the brush or soaked cloth. Pay close attention to the underside of the leaves.
Rinse the plant
Rinse the plant with water to wash away any whitefly pupae that have been dislodged.
Drying
Let the plant dry
Wait for the leaves to be completely dry before introducing predators.
First introduction
Introduce the bulk swirskii
Distribute the bulk swirskii in infested plants using small containers.
Introduce the encarsia formosa
Install the encarsia cards in infested plants.
Introduce the swirskii sachets
(optional)Install the swirskii sachets in non-infested plants.
Second introduction
Repeat the introduction
Wait two weeks and repeat the same introduction.
Monitoring and prevention
Monitor
Shake the plant to reveal the presence of adult whiteflies. If the problem persists after four weeks, repeat the treatment.
Prevent
Once the whiteflies are eradicated, continue monitoring using yellow sticky traps. Ideally, keep using swirskii sachets to prevent reinfestation.
Preparation
Cut off damaged leaves
The most damaged leaves usually harbor whitefly pupae. If possible, cut them off.
Remove debris
Remove dead leaves and other debris that may interfere with the treatment.
Wrap the pot
If treating a potted plant, wrap the pot in a plastic bag to protect the root ball during treatment.
Cleaning
(Normal)
Prepare a work space
Prepare a work space that can get wet; ideally outside, in the sink or in the bathtub.
Adjust the water
Use the strongest stream of water possible without damaging the plant. (hose, faucet, shower head, etc.).
Wash the leaves and stems
Generously spray all leaves and stems, paying close attention to the underside of the leaves. Cover all angles in several passes.
Cleaning
(Non-washable plants)
Prepare the sprayer
Prepare a sprayer of black soap solution. Dissolve five tablespoons per liter of warm water.
Spray the plant
Spray generously until the entire plant is saturated. Pay close attention to the underside of the leaves.
Drying
Let the plant dry
Wait for the leaves to be completely dry before introducing predators.
First introduction
Introduce the bulk swirskii
Distribute the bulk swirskii in infested plants using small containers.
Introduce the encarsia formosa
Install the encarsia cards in infested plants.
Introduce the swirskii sachets
(optional)Install the swirskii sachets in non-infested plants.
Second introduction
Repeat the introduction
Wait two weeks and repeat the same introduction.
Monitoring and prevention
Monitor
Shake the plant to reveal the presence of adult whiteflies. If the problem persists after four weeks, repeat the treatment.
Prevent
Once the whiteflies are eradicated, continue monitoring using yellow sticky traps. Ideally, keep using swirskii sachets to prevent reinfestation.
Predators
What quantity of swirskii sachets do I need ?
Use one sachet per single plant, per shelf, or per square meter of grouped plants. To calculate order quantities, click here
What quantity of bulk swirskii do I need ?
Use approximately two teaspoons (200 individuals) for an average plant in an 8-inch pot. To calculate order quantities, click here.
What quantity of encarsia do I need ?
Use one card per single plant, or five per square meter of grouped plants. To calculate order quantities, click here.
How do I introduce the natural predators ?
The usage instructions may vary by product. Consult the product page for details.
Treatment
Should I replace my plant's substrate?
Eggs, pupae and adult whiteflies remain on the foliage. It is therefore unnecessary to change the plant's substrate.
What should I do if my plants cannot be cleaned?
If you cannot clean with water or with black soap, it will be harder to treat your whiteflies. As a last resort, use black soap as a foliar treatment or consider cutting back the foliage completely.
What should I do if I still have whiteflies after this treatment?
Failures in treating whiteflies are usually caused by insufficient cleaning. If necessary, repeat the treatment. If the problem persists, consider discarding the plant or cutting back the foliage completely.
Encarsia formosa are not available, what can I do?
Encarsia formosa have the particularity of requiring a long period of sunlight and are therefore not available in the winter. In this case, replace them with Orius insidiosus or install yellow sticky traps to control adult whiteflies.