Whitefly on tomato plants?

Question

Does anyone know of an effective method of controlling whitefly that have appeared on my tomato plants? I'm not bothered about using chemicals, I just want the little varmints gone. From what I've read they can knacker your tomato crop :-( Please help

Answer 1

they sell a powder to sprinkle on the plants from CIL if you dont tend to this problem you will have worms eating your plants so it must be done ASAP

Answer 2

Diluted washing up liquid in a spray gun will do the trick. Stay away from insecticides as you have to wait a few days before you can pick the fruit safely.

Only spray in the evening or when it's overcast/raining to avoid burning the leaves.

Any washing up liquid creates a thin film on the plants surface that suffocates them

Answer 3

use basil in the plants you well find there well go to the basilthe whitefly love,sbasil

Answer 4

Make a simple solution of 1 TB Dove Dishwashing liquid, 1/3 cup of plain cooking oil, and water in a spray bottle. Spray the plants, and be careful to get the undersides of the leaves. The oil will protect the leaves and the soap will kill the buggers. You'll probably have to apply once a week until they are all gone.

Also, you may want to re-pot the plants in fresh soil (if they are in containers) or turn the soil around the plants, apply the soultion, and then add an inch of fresh topsoil. These guys can lay their eggs in the soil.

Whitefly seems to be out of control this year, so don't think for a minute that you are a 'bad gardener'!

Answer 5

Garden Centres sell sticky yellow cards to hang above plants.  The colour attracts the whitefly and the sticky stuff traps them.  Another good idea is companion planting, grow something like french marigolds in the same pot or plot - the flies don't like them.

Answer 6

You can get "smoke bombs" specially made for whitefly infestation. Any good garden centre should stock them and they are very effective.