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Re: Whitefly?

from:  Ruth Zavitz at rzavitz@execulink.com

>The whiteflies are tiny white moths which lay eggs on the undersides of the
>leaves.  These hatch out into little wormlike nymphs which suck out the
>plant juices, then pupate and emerge as more whiteflies.
>
>WD-40 or any of the other soap or oil sprays are good controls as they tend
>to smother the eggs as well as the nymphs.  However,you have to keep after
>them because the adult moths will fly to, and hide in other plants when you
>start to spray and then return to lay more eggs as soon as you leave.

Whiteflies.........
When I had an infestation a couple of years ago on my tropical hibiscus, 
I threw everything I had at them. When my pump sprayer wasn't doing the 
job, I went to an electric fogger. I used soap, dishwashing detergent, 
Diazinon, Orthene, Cygon and sprayed every 3 or 4 days and I killed 
thousands and thousands of whiteflies. (BTW, this is outdoors.)

The only problem was the infestation expanded to more plants. I posted 
messages in the <rec.gardens> newsgroup and several respondents 
recommended encarsia formosa (sp?), a natural predator, but others said 
this approach was effective only in a controlled environment such as a 
greenhouse. Someone mentioned Sun Oil's Ultra Fine Oil so I got some and 
I think that started to turn the tide in my favor. Below freezing 
temperatures finally finished the battle and I had won.

I've learned that the products Merit and/or Marathon are what's needed. 
Merit, as a spray, is intended for outdoor use, while Marathon is in 
granule form and is intended for greenhouse use. Find these and you'll 
have a clear and decisive victory.



Tom Miller
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