Whitefly control, Samoa

November 2006. Samoa asked about white fly control methods.

Methods depend very much on the species present. If the silverleaf whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Biotype B or renamed as B argentifolii) is present, pyrethroids and organophosphate insecticides would not be an appropriate choice for control. For that species, a management package has been developed by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries for Australian vegetable growers.

Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, provided the following non-chemical (synthetic) control practice:

1/2 a tablespoon of liquid detergent
1/2 a cup of cooking oil

Add to 1 gallon of water and mix thoroughly before spraying the underside of leaves. It is advisable to apply the spray early morning or in the evening. Do not spray when temperatures exceed 80??F: the plants may burn! Other non-toxic ingredients can be added, such as garlic, chillies and tobacco.