Ways to control whitefly
Gareth Austin, gardening expert with ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Foyle, answers your questions about growing veg. Send Gareth a question.
Lynn Hughes from Bristol asks: I am getting a black sticky residue on my brassicas caused by whitefly. What should I do to control these pests?
Answer: Hey Lynn, there's kind of a disgusting explanation to this one. When the whitefly eat, whatever goes in has to come out. These excretions are very sugary and they attract a secondary problem called sooty mould, which is what your suffering from. You have a few options.
- Jet the cabbages with some water from your hose, this will dislodge most of the whitefly off your crop.
- Give them a wipe with a damp cloth regularly.
- Use an approved insecticide from your local garden centre.
For next year try to grow marigolds, spring onions, onions or garlic beside your cabbage, these will naturally reduce the occurrence of whitefly.
Comments