Whiteflies are tiny, sap-sucking insects that can become abundant in vegetable and ornamental plantings, especially during warm weather. Despite their name, whiteflies are not true flies but are in the order Hemiptera, related to aphids, scales, and mealybugs. They derive their name from the mealy white wax covering the adult’s wings and body. Adults are tiny insects with yellowish bodies and four whitish wings. Whiteflies develop rapidly in warm weather, and populations can build up quickly in situations where natural enemies are ineffective and when weather and host plants favor outbreaks. Large colonies often develop on the undersides of leaves.

Here are some tips on how to identify and get rid of whiteflies:

• Identification: Whiteflies are moth-like in appearance, about 1/16th of an inch in length with an elongated, somewhat triangular shape, and are most often gray-white in coloring. Because of their tiny size, they can be hard to spot. They are usually found on the undersides of leaves.

• Mechanical control: If infestations of whiteflies are caught early, they can be controlled by washing them off with a sharp spray of water. Make sure to get the undersides of the leaves, as this is where eggs and nymphs hang out. Another mechanical technique that can help control whiteflies is to vacuum them with a small, hand-held vacuum cleaner. Vacuum the adult whiteflies in the early morning when the temperature is cool and they are slow-moving. Put the vacuum bag containing the insects (not the vacuum cleaner itself) inside a large plastic bag and freeze for 24 hours to kill the insects.

• Sticky traps: Place yellow sticky ribbon, stakes, or traps near infested plants, following label instructions.

• Insecticidal soap: Use insecticidal soap according to label instructions.

• Biological control: Natural enemies such as lacewings or parasitic wasps can be effective in controlling whiteflies. These can be purchased at your local nursery or ordered online in containers of 1,000, and sprinkled on the infested plants.

• Cultural control: Keep new houseplants away from other plants for 2 to 3 weeks, which should be enough time to detect the presence of whiteflies or other pests.

• Chemical control: Whiteflies have developed resistance to some chemicals. Because of this resistance, a certain product may work well in one area but not in another. Resistance may be delayed by alternating the types of chemicals used[[5]](https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardeni...