Whitefly - can anyone help, please?

[Grandma]

This summer the whitefly infestation in my greenhouse was so bad that I couldn't go in there without inhaling them!  The tomatoes and cucumbers suffered badly and so did my lovely regal pelargoniums. As well as taking cuttings I usually keep the mature regals from one year to the next but I've thrown them all out this year and am just relying on the new plants.
 
So - the greenhouse is now completely empty. Is there anything I can do to prevent the little buggers returning in force next year and, if so, what and when should I do it please? Thank you.

[petengade]

Hi Grandma,
I had them in my greenhouse also, planted French marigolds they seemed to dislike them, all clear now, maybe just luck, will plant them earlier next year.

[Grandma]

Thanks petengade! I'm getting old and really am losing my marbles. I used to do that - just a few French marigolds in the greenhouse and I didn't ever have anything like the problem I've had this year.

Thanks ever so much. I'll write it in my 'mustn't forget' book - when I find it!.

(I've just noticed that you live in Worthing, too! The whitefly you got rid of obviously came to live with me!) 

[Hector]

A hand-held hoover?

[lottie lou]

What about those yellow sticky traps?

[pumpkinlover]

I have not had whitefly in greenhouse since planted marigolds and they look so nice
I think tagettes who are good too, will try them next year.

[tim]

As a start, I would be brutal & discard Pelargoniums - the worst attractor for whitefly.

Cucumbers? Never known whitefly on them.

Marigolds? A lovely theory BUT it assumes that you have them in flower from day 1 - & continue thus. Not an easy task. And if you miss early on, woe is you!!

[chriscross1966]

I put a few yellow sticky traps and some french marigolds into my gh this year and haven't seen any whitefly or aphids....
chrisc

[Grandma]

As a start, I would be brutal & discard Pelargoniums - the worst attractor for whitefly.

NOOOOOO dear Tim! I couldn't!:o I have twenty-odd named varieties and they are a delight throughout the summer that I just wouldn't be without.

What about those yellow sticky traps?

I tried those, lottie lou, and found they caught more hoverflies than whitefly! I'll definitely try to remember the French marigolds next year and maybe a few yellow stickies like chriscross1966.

Thanks all for your helpful advice.

[tricia]

Last year - horrible infestation of whitefly in GH. This year - sowed tagetes seeds at same time as tomato seeds and planted them up into same pots as tomatoes and not a whitefly to be seen all season. Will continue with this method next year too.

Tricia

[tim]

Thought you'd say that, Grandma!!

But agree about the traps.

[daveyboi]

There is also a wasp type biological control but that has to be used early in the season.

 If you Google the Latin name (encarsia formosa), several suppliers will appear

[claybasket]

I put Basil in the g/h I don't get any trouble now,would garlic spray help?

[petengade]

Saw on Google, grow pots of mint near the plants, they don't like those either,
Thanks again for the sweet pea seed you gave me a few years ago still saving the seed and growing, remember? 

[gazza1960]

sorry,no info on GH whitefly but just wanted to spread the Question to the remainder of our plot as we have been truly infested with them.
The cabbages beets and,,,,well basically anything with a leaf has the little so and so,s on.

My neighbours suggested a "powder" not sure of type.? but I didnt fancy consuming Greens that have had
that kind of cure sprinkled all over them.

Gazza

[tim]

Oh, those. Just disturb them - jet them - or leave them & wash well before eating!!

They only really mess up Sprouts.

[Grandma]

So - my shopping list is now:- French marigold, tagetes and basil seed; a few yellow stickies and a hand-held vacuum cleaner! And I'll move a lump of mint into the GH, too. That should fix the little buggers! Thanks for all your advice.

Glad the sweet peas are still going strong, petengade. Thanks for letting me know.

And Tim - there's something quite magical about being called 'grandma' by a handsome 90-year old! xxx

[pumpkinlover]

Hope greenhouse will still haveroom for your tomatoes and pelagoniums

[JENIAN]

Had french marigolds in pots in the GH for the past few seasons and no sign of white fly.  My brassicas outside in the allotment have been covered with the blighters so thinking of planting Marigolds/tegetes under the plants next year.  Will certainly try mint in pots in the GH as well.  Thanx for tips.

[rugbypost]

HI,Gandma what we do everymonth is cut some garden fleece to cover the widow opening, and early in the season you can buy lava of something that attacks the white fly not sure if it works or if it would be cheap enough to use but the fleece trick dose work