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Old 06-05-2006, 09:30 PM
Pest Effects Pest Effects is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Apr 2006
Posts: 46
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VX
Would organic controls for aphids (predators where possible and spraying with
soap solution) be effective for whitefly- or do I need other strategies?

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VX (remove alcohol for email)
Natural enemies of aphids are not normally effective on whiteflies. The predators might take a few whitefly larvae but the parasitoids definitely won't. You'll have to use specific parasitoids for whitefly and Encarsia formosa and Eretmocerus eremicus are both commercially available. 'Just Green' actually do a dual pack containing both wasps.

If your whitefly problems are only just beginning (ie. you are only seeing a sporadic appearance of the adults with no juveniles on the lower leaves), then a weekly application of a sufactant product would be the best strategy to control things. SB Plant Invigorator is currently having some very good reviews at the moment.