Worried about your garden? You probably should be. There’s a pest lurking, waiting to attack. Whiteflies could be headed for your garden, and understanding the basics with this pest in mind is an absolute must if you want to protect your plants.
What They Look Like
This can be a tough pest to notice if you’re not interacting with your garden on a regular basis. Tiny creatures, they live on the underside of plant leaves. As adults, they’re typically just 1/16th of an inch in length. In fact, many people mistake them for tiny moths. They coat their bodies and wings in a white waxy substance, which is what makes them look white.
The Impact
Whiteflies have the power to kill your entire garden. They pierce the leaves of plants and suck the sap out of them. They also have the ability to transmit viruses to plants during the process. Whiteflies lay their eggs under plant leaves, and while they’re doing that, deposit an excessive amount of wax to help protect their eggs. That, too, can damage the plant itself because it tends to encourage mold growth, which means the plant can’t absorb the sunlight it needs to grow.
Preventing the Problem
Whiteflies have the ability to expand populations rapidly, which makes them almost untouchable from a natural predator perspective. There are, though, a number of things you can do. During the colder months, be sure to pluck off any infested leaves. Insecticidal soap will help too. Additionally, putting a layer of reflective plastic mulch may help keep them out of the garden and off of your plants.
Need some whitefly control help? Give us a call. The premier Brevard County pest control solution, we’ll help keep whiteflies out of your garden, making sure your plants have a fighting chance this year.