whiteflies are KILLING ME !!!!

We have some unique pests to deal with in Australia. Post your experiences and treatments here for others to learn from.
User avatar
JaseH
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 486
Joined: January 13th, 2014, 2:27 pm
Favorite Species: Cedar, Natives, Prunus, Maples
Bonsai Age: 1
Bonsai Club: Waverly, BSV, VNBC
Location: Melbourne

Re: whiteflies are KILLING ME !!!!

Post by JaseH »

I used pyrethrum not long ago - as with the other methods you tried, gets rid the immediate infestation but they are back within a few days.

Not sure totally getting rid of them is possible, for me anyway, I have a large lawn area which is full of them too(clouds of them when you walk across the lawn!) so unless I crop dust the entire property I think I'm stuck with them for the moment :(
‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.
The next best time is now.’
~Chinese Proverb

Hachinoki Bonsai Pottery: FB | WEB
User avatar
stocaz
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 224
Joined: February 5th, 2013, 8:24 pm
Favorite Species: JBP
Location: Melbourne

Re: whiteflies are KILLING ME !!!!

Post by stocaz »

Same with me, nothing works long term :no:
User avatar
Boics
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 2189
Joined: September 27th, 2012, 6:16 pm
Favorite Species: Banksia, Syzygium, Cotoneaster. Leptospermum
Bonsai Age: 7
Location: Victoria Inner City Fringe
Has thanked: 28 times
Been thanked: 17 times

Re: whiteflies are KILLING ME !!!!

Post by Boics »

JaseH wrote:I used pyrethrum not long ago - as with the other methods you tried, gets rid the immediate infestation but they are back within a few days.

Not sure totally getting rid of them is possible, for me anyway, I have a large lawn area which is full of them too(clouds of them when you walk across the lawn!) so unless I crop dust the entire property I think I'm stuck with them for the moment :(
Yep this sounds very very familiar.

As I have repeatedly said I don't believe these are Whitefly at all.
I believe that they are leaf hoppers or potato leaf hoppers to be exact.
I have not found anything (Pyrethrum, chilli, garlic, white oil) to work.
Confidor doesn't even seem to work (bugs remain) but the damage that they do is significantly reduced.
Due to the population fluctuations it may SEEM as if some of the sprays you are using are doing something but I believe this is mere fluctuations of the population rather than an result of the sprays.

Please have a good look through the previous information I have linked in this thread.

Have you even noticed any damage from these things?

You could also use a fine cover over your tree's (or at least those that are being damaged).

Good luck!
One of the fabulous things about growing bonsai is as you get old and decrepit your trees get old and beautiful
User avatar
JaseH
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Aussie Bonsai Fan
Posts: 486
Joined: January 13th, 2014, 2:27 pm
Favorite Species: Cedar, Natives, Prunus, Maples
Bonsai Age: 1
Bonsai Club: Waverly, BSV, VNBC
Location: Melbourne

Re: whiteflies are KILLING ME !!!!

Post by JaseH »

Boics wrote:
Have you even noticed any damage from these things?
They seem to like my english elms the best - the leaves are showing damage as white blotches all over. They're also attacking the tridents and Japanese maples, the tridents are showing deformed leaves which I'm assuming is from them. They are present on other trees too but not as prolific and damage not so obvious. I'm trying to avoid confidor or anything too hefty as we have bee's that I'd prefer not to risk harming.
‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.
The next best time is now.’
~Chinese Proverb

Hachinoki Bonsai Pottery: FB | WEB
Post Reply

Return to “Pests and Diseases”