How to Get Rid of Whiteflies Naturally, According to a Pest Control Expert

Whiteflies may look harmless at first glance, but don't be fooled. These tiny insects feed on the undersides of leaves, leading to yellowing and weakened plants. Plus, since whiteflies snack on sap, their sugary excrement can create sooty mold, leaving your plants sticky and covered in black fungus.

Managing these pests can be difficult; however, there are certain prevention strategies that can help keep their populations in check. Here's how to protect your garden—without resorting to harsh chemicals.

Monitor for Activity

Whitefly control starts with careful observation. These pests are tiny, so early detection can make a big difference. To begin, regularly inspect the undersides of leaves for whiteflies and their eggs.

Hanging sticky yellow cards near susceptible plants can also be helpful. The bright yellow cards will attract adult insects, causing them to get stuck. If you see an increase in the number of adults trapped on the cards, then you'll know that their population is growing.

Remove Infested Foliage

If you notice clusters of whiteflies or their larvae on your plants, act fast.

"The first management option is to physically remove any infested leaves or plants,” says Brett Blaauw, associate professor of entomology at the University of Georgia. Removing non-mobile nymphs and pupae from the leaves may help lower whitefly populations to manageable levels.

Carefully discard affected foliage in sealed bags—don’t compost it—to prevent the spread of pests.

Knock Them Off Your Plants

A simple but effective tactic? Hose the whiteflies off. “In low-level infestations, consider strong blasts with water to dislodge [them] from the leaves,” Blaauw says.

This method won’t eliminate whiteflies entirely, but it can certainly help reduce their numbers.

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Use Insecticidal Soap or Horticultural Oils

Blaauw recommends avoiding synthetic sprays and opting for gentler, plant-safe alternatives, such as insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural soaps.

Thorough application is key. “These less-toxic products manage only the whiteflies that are directly sprayed, so it's crucial to cover the plants—particularly the underside of the leaves—with the spray solution," says Blaauw. "Repeat applications frequently until the problem is under control."

Timing matters, too. “Soaps and oils can cause phytotoxicity (burning) to crop leaves, so ensure that the plants are not drought-stressed and that temperatures are under 90 degrees Fahrenheit,” he adds.

Resist the urge to blast your plants with broad-spectrum insecticides that contain chemicals like pyrethroids. These chemicals may remove whiteflies, but they'll also kill the beneficial insects that feed on them.

Lean Into Companion Planting

You can naturally manage whiteflies by utilizing the tried-and-true practice of companion planting. French marigolds and basil contain chemicals that can repel whiteflies. Pollinator-friendly plants, such as sweet alyssum, can attract ladybugs, which love to feast on whiteflies.

Keep Them From Coming Back

Blaauw offers a few methods to prevent an infestation from starting or recurring.

First, make sure you don't over-fertilize your plants. "Whiteflies really like nitrogen-rich plants, so over-fertilization can cause an increase in vegetative growth that will be highly attractive to [them],” Blaauw says. Using reflective mulches can also help deflect whiteflies.

Finally, watch out for ants. “Many ant species are omnivores and often seek out sugar resources,” Blaauw says. “Once the ants find a honeydew source [a sugary substance secreted by the flies], they will basically ‘farm’ the whiteflies and protect them from predators so that they don’t lose their sugar source.”

If you spot ants crawling on your plants, take action. “Managing the ants would be a good way of making the whiteflies more vulnerable to natural enemies,” he says.