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5 Organic Controls for Greenhouse Whitefly (www.growveg.com.au)

submitted 3 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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Saving this for later. I’ve already found some whiteflies on my zucchini and I’ll be dealing with it on my planned pumpkins too.

I knew zucchini and pumpkin weren’t good companions but thought it’d be alright since they both take the full sun of my spot and separate pots would prevent them from competing for nutrients. I could even give both frequent Powerfeed at the same time.

But the downside is attracting the same kinds of pest. At least I can try the same methods to cover both of them.

I’m not sure about the soapy water though as apparently it can damage the leaves.

I have seen a few ladybirds before but not many and have since trimmed the grass. And I don’t know which kind of ladybird it was. Maybe if the pest problem gets bad I could buy and release more ladybirds

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

For whitefly you want neem. Ladybirds eat aphid larvae, but green laceywings love whiteflies. Get a bunch of alyssum and dasies and other flowering plants to attract predators

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Thanks, I was thinking about neem but does it affect bees? I don’t want to kill those, especially not native pollinators.

If it’s ok to use is it just neem oil shaken in water or do you recommend a particular product?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Nope! In addition, Neem is about as targetted as you can get - bugs literally have to ingest it (eg: be eating the treated plant) in order to be affected.

Eco organics have a good range of stuff if you haven't used them, all based on the principles of targetting and least harm. They also sell predatory insects (and unlike most don't wild capture). I've started seeing them at bunnings too

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

Thanks, I’ll check it out

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Ok I began painting some cardboard yellow so I can cut it into tags to smear for the traps.

While that’s drying I attempted to remove the pests. Doing it by hand isn’t very effective as they spook and fly off fast. Especially when there’s a few.

Damp cotton wool seems to work better. I come in directly from over the insect and crush/wipe it a few times to kill. It’s also useful to clean off the honeydew poop so it won’t attract mould or whatever