Whiteflies are like tiny white butterflies flying around a plant. Whiteflies and their larvae usually hide on the underside of the leaves. Especially likes to appear on begonias, fuchsias, balsams, kali, pelargonium ampelna.
It is very easy to notice a whitefly, as soon as you approach the plant, or inadvertently touch it, dozens of white and tiny butterflies begin to circle.
How does a whitefly reproduce?
Whitefly reproduces very quickly: females lay eggs on the underside of the leaf. Whitefly larvae suck out from the plant all the juices necessary for its existence and growth, which leads to the death of the flower.
Causes of infection
Causes of whitefly infestation include bringing unprocessed plants from the yard for the winter, buying infected plants, pest-infested soil, warm and humid air that whiteflies love, and even white butterflies entering through open windows or doors.
How to deal with whitefly
Whitefly loves heat and humidity, so place the infected plant in a cool place (if possible, take out into the yard in a cool and windy place). If the plant tolerates temperatures up to 15 degrees, put it in a cold room for 10 – 14 days. Whitefly dies at temperatures below 15 degrees.
Flying whiteflies can be collected by vacuum cleaner. Damaged and deformed leaves are cut and discarded (it is better to burn), healthy leaves are completely washed (both the lower and upper part of the leaf); also wash the twigs, dissolved in water with household soap (1 to 6), do not wash off the soap for 15 minutes, rinse with water from the shower, pest-contaminated soil is discarded.
To get rid of whiteflies, also use special drugs – insecticides (Aktellik, Confidor, Mospilan). In flower shops you can buy ready-made sprays with chem. preparations for houseplants. You can use dichlorvos: spray from the top, at a distance of 50 cm, and you can use adhesive tape for flies – it will significantly reduce the number of flying insects. Chem. drugs destroy flying insects, but they do not affect the larvae, so you need to spray the infected plant every 5-7 days 3-4 times.
After the procedures, our plant is quarantined (away from other houseplants in a shady place). When the plant starts to renew itself, in about 3 weeks, we put it in a permanent place.