The cabbage whitefly is a sap – feeding insect that can infest cabbage & other types of brassica plants. They are white winged insects that fly up in clouds when brassica leaves are disturbed. Cabbage whitefly can be very difficult to control, very much so on allotments where there are likely to be affected plants on neighbouring plots that will be a source of re-infestation. You will often see whitefly in mid Summer when the weather is warm. Due to whitefly feeding, plants will become weak, leaves will eventually wilt, turn pale or yellow & this in effect will stunt plant growth.
The best way to get rid of the dreaded whitefly is to blast them with your watering can, this will cause them to scatter, If you are not wanting to use bug sprays or pesticides a simple remedy is to use washing up liquid and water, a good squirt of liquid to a gallon of water should be enough. Using a sprayer only use in cooler temperatures early in the morning or later in the day.
It is nearly impossible to get rid of whitefly but using this method or bug sprays will allow you to keep on top of the problem.
Blog & Research by Mark Burton (Allotment Secretary)
