why do my zucchini plants get white flies every year and what can I do about them. They ruin the whole plant.

Dana H
by Dana H
  1 answer
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on May 19, 2011
    A chief reason for whitefly outbreaks, Dana, is that their natural enemies are eliminated through the spraying of pesticides, Avoiding the use of insecticides that kill natural enemies is a very important aspect of whitefly management. Products containing carbaryl, pyrethroids, diazinon or foliar sprays of imidacloprid can be particularly disruptive. As alternatives, aluminum foil or reflective plastic mulches can repel whiteflies or try yellow sticky traps. If you do decide to spray, use only an insecticidal soap or neem oil, making two or three sprays at five-day intervals. Good luck, and here's to your having the other common problem with zucchini: too much of it!