Whiteflies on Fujian Tea

Grillmann · White Belt Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 2

I'm at my wit's end! My Fujian Tea continues to become infested with whiteflies.

Here's what I've tried and the results:

1:
A mixture of dishwashing liquid, water, veg oil and alcohol. Every time I spray it on, the leaves turn black and all fall off. They grow back nicely, but as soon as they grow back....the little whiteflies return and cover the leaves with their vile dew and the cycle begins.

2:
Schultz Bug Spray for Whitefly & Mealybug. Seems to control them somewhat, but also seems to stunt the growth(?). Since I've begun to use it, the tree hasn't had many new sprouts, leaves yes, sprouts no and absolutely no blooms. Plus, to maintain control of them I have to spray it almost every day. It scares me.

Info:
The tree is approx 12 years old, it is kept indoors with an occasional daytime outing, sits in a south window with lots of light and intermediate direct light.

Help Me!!

fays · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 5:22 am Post subject: White fly

Hi Grillmann!
I used these great little boxes called Pantry Pest. They are really nice because you do not need to put anything on the tree at all. They have this very sticky substance on the inside of the box and then you put this tiny little square that has pheromones on it and that draws in any flying insect in but works really fantastic on white fly! I seem to get white fly on my tea bonsai. You should be able to get them at a bird food store or a hardware store. I've bought them in both places and if they do not have them if you order a case they will usually get them for you - that has 12 in there I think- they will order them for you for sure. another place that has them are garden centers- nurseries. Does not seem something so simple could work but they work like a charm! I pretty much set them up near my trees that winter inside (the tropical bonsai) and they work like a charm! Hope you give this a try and I'll send another email with more info on them if you need more. Give it a try, you will be a believer!!! Very Happy

Fay S.

GioGio · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: Whiteflies on Fujian Tea

Or you could use a systematic insecticide called Provado. It's very good, I use it whenever I have a problem with insects.

Giogio

Pappa · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 1:01 pm Post subject: Re: Whiteflies on Fujian Tea

Or you could avoid insecticides altogether by using an organic pest control method:

Encarsia formosa (it's a parasitic wasp)

You can get them from http://www.scarletts.co.uk for £8.95. The plant will need to be kept in a greenhouse, conservatory or other closed environment while the wasp does it's stuff as otherwise they may escape.

http://www.bio.scarletts.co.uk/pages.asp?page=Whitefly

Pappa

Dick · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 3:18 pm Post subject: Re: Whiteflies on Fujian Tea

The trouble with white fly is that they have eggs that hatch new insects after you think you have eliminated them. They alos inhabit the underside of the foliage and make it difficult to spray.

We have a product here called Safers Insecticidal Soap which is simply a regular soap with a natural occuring insecticide know as pyrethrin. If you can get some of it, or something close to it, it should do the trick, especially if you spray every other day for about 2 weeks. It should kill off the insects and the new hatches. And be sure to spray all the other trees that you have too because one can be infesting the others.

Grillmann · White Belt Joined: 20 Apr 2005 Posts: 2

Thanks for your replies. I did order the Pantry Pest boxes. Guess I'll give that a try.

Next I'll give the insecticide soap a shot.

fays · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 3:49 am Post subject: White fly

Hi Grillmann!
You will be surprised, those boxes will work- just give them a bit of time and you will only use them. I buy them by the case from my nursery or the bird feed store. Really are amazing! Hope they work for you too- those white fly can drive you crazy!!!
Fay M. Very Happy