Bemisia tabaci / Trialeurodes vaporariorum

Whiteflies are tiny, moth-like insects that pack a disproportionate punch in South African gardens. Found most often on the undersides of leaves, these pests suck sap from vegetables and ornamentals, leaving behind sticky honeydew that leads to sooty mould. Their rapid reproductive rate and resistance to many synthetic sprays make them particularly difficult to manage and they can rapidly become dangerous in greenhouse environments and in warm, dry conditions where populations explode quickly.

Once whiteflies are established, controlling them can be difficult and time-consuming. Preventative management is not only more effective but also saves considerable cost and crop damage. By combining parasitic wasps, predatory mites, and early detection systems, gardeners can prevent infestations before they begin. Waiting until clouds of insects rise with every brush of a leaf is a sign that the pest is already out of control.

Maintain a clean garden, remove heavily infested leaves, and use yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce adult populations. For long-term prevention, release beneficial insects early in the season, especially in greenhouse or tunnel-grown crops. Pairing parasitic wasps with predatory mites ensures complete lifecycle control from egg to adult. This layered approach provides consistent suppression and keeps your garden in balance.

• Beneficial Insects

  • Swirskii – Ultimite (Amblyseius swirskii)
    A predatory mite delivered in sachets that feeds on young whitefly stages as well as thrips. Best used early in the season for prevention.

  • En-Strip (Encarsia formosa)
    A parasitic wasp targeting whitefly larvae. Used preventatively or to suppress active infestations in protected environments like greenhouses.

  • Aphid / Mite / Whitefly Package
    A Livingseeds package containing Swirskii, Spidex, and Aphipar—designed to combat whitefly, aphids, and mites simultaneously.

• Traps/Monitoring

  • Sticky Cards
    Bright yellow cards that attract and trap adult whiteflies. Used to monitor pest levels and reduce breeding populations. Hang above crop height throughout the garden or greenhouse.

• Biologicals

  • Eco-Bb® (Beauveria bassiana)
    A biological insecticide that infects and kills whiteflies via fungal spores. Effective on contact; repeat every 7–14 days for full coverage.