Whiteflies: How to Identify and Get Rid
of These House Plant Pests

What They Look Like

Whiteflies look like tiny moths with 4 powdery white wings.

Their eggs and larvae are yellowish-green in color and barely visible without a magnifying glass.

Where to Find Them

These tiny winged insects will likely be found on the undersides of leaves where they suck plant juices, causing the leaves to turn yellow and appear limp. They secrete honeydew -- a sticky substance which attracts sooty mold.

You'll see them flutter around like snowflakes when an infested plant is disturbed.

They're not picky eaters -- they'll feed on more than 60 species of plants.

How to Get Rid of Whiteflies

Prune heavily infested leaves as soon as you notice them. They're not likely to recover from the feeding by these plant-sucking insects.

If only a few leaves are infested, wipe off eggs and larvae with a damp cloth.

The adults are susceptible to insecticides. Use an insecticidal soap made for indoor plants. Spray every 2-3 days for 4 weeks or as needed. Make sure your plant is listed on the product label. Read the label carefully and follow the manufacturer's directions for use.

Put a yellow sticky trap on a stake in each pot of an infested plant to catch them.

These sticky insect traps will attract and capture whiteflies, fungus gnats, winged aphids, thrips and other pests in gardens, greenhouses and potted plants. Once the card is covered with insects, replace it with a fresh one. Safe and effective control for flying insects Set of 9 traps and 3 stakes Set includes nine weatherproof 3" x 5" traps and three 11" stakes. $6.50