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Whitefly is Back
• You kill them or they kill your ficus
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Thursday,
October 29, 2009
Pesky whiteflies have returned to Broward County for another feeding frenzie. This insatiable insect eats ficus trees and shrubs from the inside out, leaving them barren, parched and dead if you don’t catch them in time. Whitefly suck the sap from leaves, eventually draining ficus of its life force.
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Whitefly infestation is imminent when you shake your ficus tree, hedge or topiary and tiny particles of what appear to be white dust scatter in the air.
Because this voracious subtropical insect works fast and is tough to eradicate, the best time to start fighting whitefly is at onset. Most pest control companies have a dual approach to extermination, attacking the bug with both a topical poison and some type of systemic solution.
Pest-control companies that treat whitefly don’t come cheap. I recommend Al Hoffer. Their price is competitive and they guarantee results. The downside to the service is that the company relies on dangerous poisons, often killing friendly, pest-eating spiders. But if you’re looking for fast, effective results, Hoffer rises to the occasion.
Can I get rid of whitefly myself?
Absolutely. I suggest talking to Nancy or one of her knowledgeable staff at Nu Turf on State Road 7. They’ll walk you through the pros and cons of various solutions and make recommendations based on your needs. They’re big fans of Bayer Advanced Tree and Shrub Control, a systemic solution proven effective in fighting whitefly and other plant pests. They may also point you in the direction of some type of insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Is there an all natural way to eradicate whitefly?
Yes. But follow through is essential because multiple treatments are required. Some claim the most effective natural mixture is comprised of one part dish soap (a small amount) and two parts vegetable oil. Add garlic, cayenne pepper and chili powder covering the bottom quarter of your spray bottle before adding water. Treat once a day for two days and again every five to seven days for the remainder of the month -- or until whitefly disappear.
Keep in mind that whichever spray you use – poison or all natural – you must spray the underside of leaves to kill whitefly larvae.
Systemically, an all natural solution gaining in popularity is the soaking of peeled garlic cloves in water and drenching ficus roots in two to three days.
Whitefly doesn’t go away on its own. You kill them or they kill your ficus.
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