How to Get Rid of Whiteflies on Houseplants

The common name "whitefly" is applied to more than 1500 species in many genera from the Aleyrodidae family of insects that also includes aphids and mealybugs. Many different types of whiteflies can infest plants, depending on the region where you live and the type of plant being affected. These tiny, heart-shaped flies are generally no more than 1/10 inch long. If the infestation is serious, a cloud of whiteflies will suddenly go airborne like a burst of snow when a plant is bumped or moved. This phenomenon is one way to identify a whitefly infestation.

Whiteflies can be found indoors and outdoors, but they are a bigger problem in greenhouses and on indoor houseplants because cold weather tends to keep outdoor populations in check. Whiteflies are piercing and sucking insects that can weaken a plant, though it's fairly rare for a plant to be actually killed. An indoor whitefly infestation can quickly spiral out of control, so it's best to treat whiteflies at the first signs of infestation.

Whitefly Plant Damage

These annoying insects aren't only a nasty surprise for plant owners, but problematic to the health of the plant, too. The nymphs and various larval stages attach to the plant's soft tissues and feed on the plant and secrete honeydew, which raises the risk of fungal diseases and can attract other pests, such as ants. You might see a black sooty mold grow on the sticky honeydew secreted by the whiteflies.

Whiteflies hatch from tiny, cone-shaped eggs into small scale-like insects that can travel along the plant's stems. The scales molt into nymphs, which then go through several more growth stages before going into a brief resting stage prior to emerging as adult flies. During almost every step of their development, the insects continue to feed.

The entire lifecycle takes only about 18 days, but this varies, depending on the temperature. In warmer weather, they reproduce more quickly, and in colder weather, the growth cycle is considerably slower.

7 Ways to Get Rid of Whiteflies on Houseplants

Like most pests, the best control for whiteflies is a strong defense. Healthy, vigorous plants are less susceptible to infestation than weak, underpotted, and stressed plants. As a general rule, make sure your plants are healthy and they'll be less susceptible to an infestation.

If you see whiteflies on your indoor plants, there are several ways to control them. Mechanical controls are the first option to try because these insects are notorious for developing resistance to pesticides, even organic products.

Vacuum the Insects

Use your vacuum cleane hose attachment to suck up adult whiteflies (but be careful not to damage the plant). Make sure that any newly hatched whiteflies can't escape from your vacuum bag.

Spray With Water

For plants sturdy enough to take this treatment, you can put the entire potted plant in the sink and spray it thoroughly with the faucet sprayer. This often dislodges most of the whitefly adults, larvae, and eggs. Make sure to examine and spray each leaf.

Use Sticky Traps

The same sticky tape that works for houseflies can be used for whiteflies. Hang it from the infected plant if possible, and follow label directions. Sticky traps stuck in pots serve the same function.

Spray With Insecticidal Soap

Buy insecticidal soaps, such as Safer's Insecticidal Soap, or make your own by using a plain dish detergent such as Ivory Liquid. Try to find a product free from perfumes and additives that might harm plants. Mix the soap in a weak concentration with water (starting with one teaspoon per gallon of water and increasing as necessary). Spray on plants. This will help control the population but it's unlikely to completely eradicate them.

Use Neem Oil

Neem oil is derived from the neem tree. In addition to its insecticidal properties, neem oil is also a fungicide and has systemic benefits, meaning that some of the oil is absorbed by the plant, offering persistent protection. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), neem oil is safe for use on vegetables and food plants as well as ornamentals. Like insecticidal soap, neem is useful for controlling whitefly populations but might not eliminate the problem completely. Several applications may be necessary.

Make Your Own Insect Spray

You can create an all-purpose insect spray by combining one garlic bulb, one small onion, and one teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a food processor or blender and process into a paste. Mix into one quart of water and steep for one hour. Strain through a cheesecloth and add one tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Mix well and use the concoction as a leaf spray. The mixture can be stored for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Use Pyrethrin Spray

While synthetic chemical pesticides should generally be avoided for indoor plants, pyrethrin sprays are fairly safe to use, as the active ingredient is an extract from chrysanthemum flowers. However, some of these pesticides, usually labeled pyrethroids, add chemical components to the pure pyrethrin to improve the function of the pesticide. These cannot be considered organic pesticides, so very cautiously use them.

Before using any pesticide, read label directions carefully and make sure it is intended for use to control whiteflies.

What Causes Whitefly Infestations?

Whiteflies can infest just about any green growing plant in warm conditions, which is why they are more common in greenhouses and on indoor houseplants. They will be less likely to be a problem for plants growing in cooler conditions or in outdoor settings where natural predators can control them. Whiteflies seem to be more common on plants with smooth, soft leaves.

How to Prevent Whiteflies

Inspect any plants before you bring them into your home. Isolate them for a few days, well separated from other plants. Spray any infested plants with pyrethrin or neem oil outdoors before bringing them into your home. Once they are in their permanent indoor locations, inspect each plant regularly, and pick off any leaves with visible whitefly infestations.

Where possible, bring plants outdoors during the summer, where natural predators, such as ladybugs and lacewings, can feed on whitefly larvae. Give the plants a carefully targeted spray with pyrethrin or neem oil before bringing them back indoors for winter.

Some experts feel that too much nitrogen fertilizer makes a plant more attractive to whiteflies, so reducing the feeding of susceptible plants might be a strategy to try. Some plants produce an odor that seems to repel whiteflies, including mint, cilantro, and sage; careful companion planting might help control whiteflies.