The whitefly is an extremely unpleasant and stubborn parasite. Fortunately, numerous biological measures are now known that drive the whitefly away. In greenhouses, gardeners like to use predators such as parasitic wasps or hang yellow boards. However, these control measures are unsuitable in the home. So what helps if whitefly has attacked your houseplant?
How can I control whitefly on my houseplant?
To combat whitefly on houseplants, remove infected parts of the plant, move the plant to a cooler, dry place, change the substrate, use a canola oil solution and plant strong herbs such as basil and thyme nearby.
Sensible measures
Act immediately
You acknowledge an infestation:
- whiteflies on the undersides of leaves
- speckled leaves
- Honeydew
- as well as a flying swarm when you touch the plant
To avoid rapid spread, you should remove all parts of plants that show whitefly characteristics as soon as symptoms appear.
The right location
Warm indoor climate with high humidity suits the whitefly. Temporarily move your houseplant to a dry, cool place.
Tip
If your houseplant can tolerate frosty temperatures, it helps to put the plant outside overnight in winter. The next morning the whiteflies disappeared.
Change the substrate
The larvae that sit in the potting soil are particularly dangerous. If possible, replace the substrate completely if symptoms occur. Use a layer of sand on the potting soil to prevent the females from laying more eggs.
Rapeseed oil treatment
An effective home remedy against whitefly is rapeseed oil. How to make a solution:
- Mix 30% rapeseed oil with 70% water
- Put in a spray bottle
- Spray on the plant
Attention: The solution only lasts for a limited time. You can also use soft soap, nettle decoction, garlic, basil decoction or neem oil.
Helpful herbs
In addition, many herbs are suitable for combating because of their smell, which whiteflies find unpleasant. How about your own little herb garden on the windowsill, consisting of:
- Wild herbs
- Basil
- Thyme
- Sage
- Mint
