Are you plagued by whitefly?

Most years we get some whitefly on the allotment but this year there seems to have been a plague of biblical proportions. Every plot seems to have been affected and they are not just going for the usual suspects - brassicas but seem to be attacking anything that is green - even my courgettes have been affected. I understand that the whitefly can also spread diseases from plant to plant. I know that some people on the allotment have tried spraying with propriatory insectacides that are supposed to effective on them but without success. Has anyone else had a similar problem this year - if so any tips/advice as to how to deal with them? We could of cause wait and hope for a cold winter - but last year we got down to -18 and they survived!

0 members like this

< Previous Post

Comment by Flighty on October 22, 2011 at 20:52: It has been a bad year for whitefly. This is the RHS page about them which may be of help -

Cabbage whitefly / Royal Horticultural Society

Comment by Matt Richmond on October 23, 2011 at 10:03: Yes I have billions of them on my uncovered sprouts!!

Comment by Damo on October 23, 2011 at 11:25: I normally get some on brassicas and just ignore them. I've been fortunate and not had them anywhere else and the plants seem healthy enough. I never get them in the greenhouse as it's packed with french marigolds under the tomoatoes. The fat of Jersey milk will kill them as the fatty acids breakdown their soft bodies. Some gardeners spray with milk and then wash off the next day when it's done its job.

Comment by elaine rickett on October 23, 2011 at 18:13: Lots of white fly on my sprouts - but this afternoon whilst weeding around the scarlet kale I noticed one plant that was absolutely covered in greenfly - strange for this time of year, I would think.

Comment by Colin Dixon on October 24, 2011 at 12:14: Never known it so bad in sheffield, just clouds of them on everything. Not bothered doing anything as others on the allotment have tried with all sorts but failed. Dont appear to be doing much damage but are almost impossible to remove even prior to cooking (mainly cabbages) so i just leave them. Luckily i'm not vegitarian. Also its been a bumper year for ladybirds here but no idea what they've been eating obviously not the whitefly. Not had much green or blackfly this year?