Due to the nature of Southwest Florida’s warm year-round climate, Whiteflies can be an annual nuisance pest that can damage both indoor and outdoor plants. A whitefly infestation may be apparent if your plants are changing colors such as turning white, yellow, or silver depending on the species of the host plant.
Compared to similar insects, Whiteflies have a long life cycle ranging from two-and-a-half to three weeks under warm conditions to two months under cooler conditions. These pests feed on weeds, generally occurring on the undersurface of leaves They can also feed on ficus and palms. After a Whitefly population occurs, they will consume juices from the plants resulting in large quantities of honeydew which in turn promotes the growth of sooty mold.
Plants that are most susceptible to Whiteflies include poinsettia, hibiscus, ivy, gerbera daisy, lantana, ficus, rugolds, gumbalimba, verbena, garden chrysanthemum, salvia, and mandevilla.
If you notice that your plants are experiencing stem bleaching, spotting, leaf yellowing, and shedding, or even plant death, call on the experts at Pinnacle Pest Management to identify, eliminate, and prevent Whiteflies on your property and inside your home.
