17 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Whiteflies on Plants

To combat whiteflies, you can use natural methods.

Introduce natural predators, use sticky traps, apply neem oil, and try other organic control methods. These natural methods can help reduce whitefly numbers and protect your plants.

These tiny sap-sucking insects often fly up in small white clouds when the plant is disturbed [1].

They attack hundreds of plant species, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, hibiscus, citrus, and many common houseplants. That’s why you must get them under control as soon as possible.

How to Get Rid of Whiteflies Naturally

Below are some home remedies and natural solutions that may help control whiteflies.

1. Neem Oil Spray

This organic treatment has a strong odor that may help deter many insect pests. It is also a popular natural remedy for whiteflies.

Neem oil may help reduce feeding and egg-laying. It can also disrupt the growth and development of eggs and young whiteflies.

Combine 4 teaspoons of neem oil with 1 teaspoon of organic liquid soap and 1 gallon of water. Shake well before and during spraying, then coat both the tops and undersides of the leaves.

Neem oil also has fungicidal properties and may help control sooty mold that grows on the sticky honeydew left behind by whiteflies.

Avoid spraying neem oil during hot, sunny weather, as it may burn plant leaves.

2. Vacuum Them

One of the simplest and cheapest home remedies for whiteflies is to vacuum them away. Vacuuming works best against adult whiteflies and should be combined with other methods that target eggs and nymphs.

Using a small handheld vacuum, gently remove adult whiteflies from the undersides of leaves and nearby stems.

Then, empty the vacuum contents into a sealed plastic bag. Seal the bag and throw it in the trash.

Vacuum plants early in the morning or when temperatures are cooler, as whiteflies are less active then.

Also, vacuuming does not remove eggs or attached whitefly nymphs, so combine it with another treatment for better control.

3. Soap and Water

A simple soap spray can also help. Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of mild liquid soap with 1 gallon of water and spray your plants.

The soap damages the whiteflies’ protective outer coating, causing them to dry out and die. Spray in the evening and repeat every few days if needed.

4. Sticky Traps

Yellow sticky traps attract adult whiteflies. When they land on the trap, they get stuck and cannot escape.

Hang the traps near plants and in the greenhouse.

These traps help reduce adult whitefly numbers. However, they do not control eggs or immature whiteflies already feeding on plants.

5. Natural Predators

Many helpful insects feed on whiteflies. Ladybugs, lacewing larvae, and spiders all help keep them under control.

A tiny parasitic wasp called Encarsia formosa can also kill whiteflies. The females lay their eggs inside young whiteflies. The developing larvae feed on and kill the pests from the inside.

Many of these beneficial insects are also available for purchase to help populate your garden.

Steer clear of broad-spectrum insecticides if you rely on beneficial insects. These sprays can also kill the natural predators that help your plants.

6. Handpicking

A straightforward method to reduce whitefly numbers is to remove them manually.

You can wipe whitefly eggs and immature nymphs off leaves using a damp cloth. If a leaf is badly damaged, it is okay to remove it completely.

7. Worm Castings

Worm castings do not control whiteflies directly. However, they help plants grow stronger, making them better able to handle pest damage.

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

8. Repellent Plants

Some gardeners believe herbs like basil, mint, thyme, and chives help discourage whiteflies. While scientific evidence is limited, they may still be useful as companion plants.

Some studies suggest marigolds may help reduce tomato whitefly activity when used as companion plants [2]. Use these as companion plants to help control whiteflies in the garden.

9. Garlic Spray

Garlic spray is a popular homemade remedy that may help repel whiteflies and other garden pests.

Crush about four garlic cloves and mix them with one tablespoon of mineral oil or vegetable oil. Let it sit for several hours or overnight. Next, strain the solution and add approximately a pint of water.

To use this natural whitefly treatment, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it on outdoor plants or greenhouse plants. However, always test a small area first to make sure the plant is not damaged.

Garlic sprays mainly act as repellents. They work best when combined with other control methods.

10. Reflective Mulch

Gardeners often use reflective mulch to help deter insect pests. The shiny surface makes it harder for adult whiteflies to find the plants.

Silver reflective mulch works best early in the season. It works best before whitefly populations become established.

11. Diatomaceous Earth

Food-grade diatomaceous earth is a fine natural powder made from the fossilized remains of tiny algae called diatoms.

It may help control whiteflies only when they come into direct contact with the dust. However, its effectiveness is limited. Whiteflies primarily remain on the undersides of leaves, making them harder to reach.

Lightly dust dry leaves, especially the undersides, where whiteflies gather. Reapply after rain or watering.

Avoid breathing in the dust.

12. Hose Them Off

A strong stream of water can also help reduce whitefly populations on outdoor plants.

Spray the undersides of leaves early in the day to knock adult whiteflies, eggs, and nymphs off the plant. Repeat every few days until the infestation improves.

This method works especially well for vegetables and ornamental plants with sturdy foliage.

13. Insecticidal Soap

Insecticidal soap is one of the safest and most effective organic treatments for whiteflies.

Commercial insecticidal soaps are specially formulated to kill soft-bodied pests. They do this without harming most plants when used as directed.

This sets them apart from homemade soap mixtures, which may not offer the same level of protection or effectiveness.

Spray the tops and undersides of leaves thoroughly. Repeat as directed on the label until the infestation is under control.

14. Remove Heavily Infested Leaves

If some leaves or other plant parts are heavily covered in whiteflies, it is best to cut them off and throw them away. This helps stop the problem from spreading.

15. Birds

Birds may occasionally eat whiteflies. However, they are not considered an effective method of controlling infestations.

To make your garden more attractive to birds, provide shelter, water, and food.

16. Molt-X

Molt-X is an organic pesticide for ash whiteflies, aphids, fungus gnats, and other soft-bodied pests. It contains azadirachtin, which is the purified active ingredient from neem.

The product disrupts molting and interferes with normal growth and feeding behavior. As a result, affected whiteflies cannot grow properly and eventually die.

Dilute it with water as directed, then spray it on and around the plants. Always follow the product label directions carefully.

17. JMS Stylet Oil

JMS Stylet-Oil is an OMRI-listed whitefly control product. Good spray coverage, especially under the leaves, is important for effectiveness.

It is safe for fruit trees, vegetable crops, and ornamentals. You can also use it to prevent and kill powdery mildew.

This horticultural oil coats whiteflies and helps smother them. It also helps control other soft-bodied insect pests.

Takeaway

Whiteflies are tiny flying insects that can cause serious damage to many plants.

Whiteflies often appear on houseplants like African violets and outdoor plants such as guava trees. They may also infest petunias, roses, hibiscus, citrus, and other plants, both indoors and outdoors.

Additionally, whiteflies may infest Brussels sprouts, broccoli, basil, tomatoes, beans, and kale.