Learn about whiteflies that may infest your farm

What are whiteflies?

The whitefly is a type of small, soft-bodied winged insect. It has wings that enable it to fly. The adult length is 1/16 inch. Despite its name, whitefly is not a type of flies. You can find it on tree leaves, especially the lower part of the leaf.

Do whiteflies harm plants?

The whitefly is an annoying insect that damages plants so that it uses its piercing mouth to absorb plant sap; thus, it produces a sticky substance. It can cause fungal diseases such as mold that forms on leaves. It is also responsible for transmitting many plant viruses.

With dense whitefly feeding, plants will become very weak and may be unable to photosynthesize. At that time, the leaves wilted and yellow, growth will weaken, and this is enough to kill the plant.

How do whiteflies reproduce?

An adult female can produce up to 400 eggs and keep them for a month, then hatch within a week. The eggs are pale yellow when they are laid and brown when they hatch. Young larvae are oval without legs; they do not move and feed by absorbing plant juice.

Prevention and control

If you notice whiteflies on your farm, you should hurry up and solve the problem before it is too late; here are some tips for preventing and controlling this insect:

  • One of the most important things very important for prevention is to check the plants, especially in the area under the leaves, first hand; early detection of whitefly avoids disaster.
  • Use a hose or sprayer to spray the plantings; this will remove the insect and its eggs from the paper.
  • Spraying plants with a specific insecticide, in the evening when the temperatures are lower. Taking into account its use after consulting with a specialist, because it may kill other beneficial insects.
  • Use a vacuum cleaner, but cautiously, to remove eggs or larvae if you notice them, with the need for safe disposal of the waste.
  • If you have dragonflies, this is excellent because they feed on small insects, including whiteflies.
  • Deceive the whiteflies by laying out yellow cards covered with a mixture of Vaseline and dish soap; the yellow color resembles tree leaves, so whiteflies are attracted to it, lick the mixture, and die.
  • The horticultural oils that work to suffocate insects, are very effective in all stages of this insect.

If you feel that your farm is full of this insect and you do not know how to get rid of it or deal with it. In this case, you need a professional team. In Storm, we can address the issue and find an appropriate solution to eliminate whiteflies of all kinds and any kind of insects or pests that bother you. We have a specialized team capable of solving all these problems. A competent team will come to you and conduct a comprehensive examination; they will develop a science-backed treatment plan that best meets your needs.