16 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Whiteflies on Plants

To combat whiteflies, use natural methods. Introduce their predators, use sticky traps, apply neem oil, etc. These remedies can help control whitefly infestations.

Whiteflies can harm many crops, including tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and pepper plants. That’s why you must get them under control quickly.

Here’s how to get rid of whiteflies naturally:

1. Neem Oil Spray

This organic treatment has a unique smell that deters many insect pests. It also works excellently as a natural whitefly home remedy.

Neem oil will repel adult whiteflies. It will also smother whitefly eggs and larvae.

Combine four teaspoons of neem oil with one teaspoon of organic liquid soap and a gallon of water. Shake well and apply under and on the leaves and around the plants.

Neem is also an effective fungicide, and you can use it to treat sooty mold that thrives in the honeydew residue that whiteflies produce.

2. Vacuum Them

One of the simplest and cheapest home remedies for whiteflies is to vacuum them away.

Using a small hand-held vacuum cleaner, you can suck them up from under leaves and on plant stems. Then, empty the vacuum bag into a sealed plastic bag. Throw it away from the home and garden.

3. Soap and Water

Soap spray is also a cheap home remedy for whiteflies in your vegetable garden.

Mix 4 tablespoons of organic liquid soap with 1 gallon of water to make a DIY whitefly spray. You can also use a mild dishwashing liquid if you do not have organic soap.

Use the solution to mist your plants thoroughly. The soapy water will kill whiteflies.

Spray in the evening and repeat every few days until the insect infestation is gone.

4. Sticky Traps

When used properly, these can be effective deterrents. Yellow sticky traps are the most attractive color for capturing whiteflies in the house and on garden plants.

Hang the traps near plants and in the greenhouse. After getting trapped, the pests will become immobilized and eventually die.

5. Natural Predators

This method is at the heart of organic pest control. Natural predators of whiteflies include ladybugs, dragonflies, garden spiders, and green lacewing larvae.

The parasitic wasp Encarsia formosa is also an excellent whitefly killer. The females lay their eggs inside host insects and hatch out to feed on and destroy the pests.

Besides, you can purchase most of these beneficial insects to help populate your garden.

6. Handpicking

A simple but laborious method to keep whiteflies off plants is to remove them by hand.

A soft cloth or piece of kitchen towel can be used on the leaves to collect and destroy these pests. Also, cut any infected parts off of your crops.

7. Worm Castings

Earthworms are beneficial to plants by incorporating organic matter into the soil. Their poop (worm castings) raises chitinase in plants, repelling whiteflies [1].

Also, worm castings are a popular organic fertilizer. You can make your own or buy them at gardening stores.

8. Repellent Plants

Plants that repel whiteflies include chives, thyme, peppermint, and basil. The critters hate the scent of these herbs.

Marigolds also deter tomato whiteflies [2]. Utilize these as companion plants to help get rid of whiteflies in the garden.

9. Birds

Whiteflies are also included in the diet of many birds. Chickadees and other songbirds can help clear your yard and garden of whitefly infestations.

So, make your garden attractive to birds by providing shelter and additional food.

10. Garlic Spray

Garlic is an effective home remedy against cabbage whiteflies and others.

Crush about four garlic cloves into a tablespoon of mineral oil, leaving it to stand for a while. Next, strain and add about a pint of water to the solution.

Finally, hand-spray this natural whitefly treatment on outdoor plants or greenhouse plants.

11. Reflective Mulch

Gardeners often use this type of mulch to reflect light on plants in shady areas. The reflective material confuses these white insects, sending them elsewhere.

12. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt can help combat whiteflies and other pests on plants. Make a spray by dissolving two tablespoons of Epsom salt in a gallon of water.

Apply the solution to your plants. It will help control whiteflies, mealybugs, aphids, and other pests.

13. Baking Soda

Baking soda spray is also an excellent homemade pesticide for your vegetable garden. Combine two tablespoons of baking soda and one teaspoon of dish soap in a gallon of water.

Mix thoroughly until the baking soda completely dissolves. Finally, use this homemade whitefly spray on your plants.

14. Vinegar

Vinegar will also kill whiteflies. Use it to make a watered-down solution that is safe for your plants.

Combine one part white vinegar with four parts water and apply it to the affected plants.

15. Molt-X

Molt-X is an organic pesticide for ash whiteflies, aphids, fungus gnats, and other soft-bodied pests. It is a commercial concentrate of azadirachtin, one of the most effective components derived from neem seeds.

The product disrupts molting and affects all other insect life stages. Feeding also stops. As a result, these pests will fail to develop and slowly die off.

Dilute it with water according to the instructions, and spray it on and around the plants.

16. JMS Stylet Oil

JMS Stylet-Oil is an OMRI-listed whitefly control product. It is safe for fruit trees, vegetable crops, and ornamentals. You can also use it to prevent and kill powdery mildew.

This natural insecticide kills whiteflies. It also effectively disrupts the life cycles of many other insect pests.

Takeaway

Whether you call them white flies, white-flying insects, white gnats, or white-flying bugs, these pests feed on plants, weakening them.

Whiteflies are common on houseplants like African violets and guava trees. They also infest petunias, roses, hibiscus, citrus, and other indoor and outdoor plants.

You will also find whiteflies on Brussels sprouts, broccoli, basil, beans, and kale.

The best way to get rid of these pests is to use a mix of natural pest control methods, like those described here.

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