Whitefly problem
 

Hi, can anyone tell me if there is a safe way to get rid of whitefly on my bananas in my heated greenhouse please?

I have seen a type of smoke fumigation but you have to remove the plants (along with the pests) then put the plants and pests back!!

Any help please.

Re: Whitefly problem
 

Whiteflies are actually tiny moths. True whiteflies create sticky nests in which they lay their eggs. There are also damaging pests that lay their eggs in the soil but otherwise look just like white flies when they are flying around.

The gestation cycle is very short, so repeated treatment is usually needed at short intervals, typically 3 days. For bad infestations, four treatments is usually sufficient.

True whiteflies will be killed on contact with a pyrethrin, which I consider very safe. Most fruits and vegetables at supermarkets are sprayed with a pyrethrin almost daily.

If you have the pseudo whiteflies you'll have to use something stronger (sorry). Those buggers are resistant to pyrethrins, sevin, etc. Malathion will work -- or most chemicals that work on thrips.

To decide whether a particular chemical meets your safety criteria, look it up at PAN Pesticide Database

Re: Whitefly problem
 

Are they ornamental bananas that don't produce fruit, or fruiting types you wish to eat? That determines what you can use on them.

Re: Whitefly problem
 

Here is some info.. I had whiteflies one yr and the yellow stick traps do work pretty good..

G7275 Managing Whiteflies on Indoor and Outdoor Plants, MU Extension

Re: Whitefly problem
 

Yeah, pyrethrin was gonna be my suggestion as well. It's easily obtainable at most garden stores in a spray bottle.

Re: Whitefly problem
 

never heard of pseudowhiteflies. what are they?

Re: Whitefly problem
 

Sandy - Maybe the ones on the leaves are whiteflies, and the ones on the stem are pseudo whiteflies LOL

Re: Whitefly problem
 

Check the thread on AZ41 and check my answer.
I eradicated them completely. No more white flies for me. Not only that, no more aphids or powdery mildew also.