Asked on Jul 12, 2020
How to get rid of aphids and white flies on tomatoes
I have tomatoes growing in large containers and have tried Neem oil, Sevin, and also Soapy water. Nothing helps! Please help!
I have tomatoes growing in large containers and have tried Neem oil, Sevin, and also Soapy water. Nothing helps! Please help!
1
Rotate or space out tomato plants and other potential white fly hosts to minimize spread between crops, especially in areas where white flies have been a problem in previous growing seasons. Other silverleaf white fly hosts include melons and cole crops.
2Spread a reflective silver-colored aluminum mulch around the tomatoes just before or at the time of transplanting. This reflective mulch repels white flies, delaying white fly buildup for several weeks when the young plants are particularly vulnerable. Reflective mulch is most necessary where white flies have previously spread viruses.
3Spray infested tomato plants occasionally with a strong stream of water. A stream of water can directly disrupt feeding by knocking white flies, aphids, mites and other pests off the plant. It also washes honeydew and unsightly sooty mold off of the tomatoes, temporarily disrupts ants and allows beneficial predators and parasites to achieve better control of the tomato pests.
4Spray infested tomato plants thoroughly with insecticidal soap, neem oil, pyrethrin or horticultural oil, making sure you completely cover both leaf surfaces and protected areas on the stem.
5Remove and destroy or otherwise discard spent tomato plants, other crop residue and nearby weeds throughout and at the end of the growing season to avoid harboring white flies, other pests and diseases. Maintain weed-free areas around the edge of the garden and other nearby areas in the landscape.
Hello Debbie, hope this helps you out,
Always start with blasting whiteflies (and aphids and many insects) with your watering hose. This will cause them to scatter. Then, spray your leaves with insecticidal soap. A homemade mixture from the Old Farmers' Almanac to control and deter whiteflies: In a 32-ounce spray bottle mix 2 parts rubbing alcohol, 5 parts water, and 1 tablespoon liquid soap. Spray the mixture on the foliage of garden plants that are susceptible to these pests.
Hi Debbie: This site deals with all sorts of tomato problems and about 3/4 of the way down they talk about pests and how to get rid of them:
https://plantcaretoday.com/tomato-plant-problems-fix.html
If you want to make a home made aphid spray, mix 1 tbsp vegetable oil and a few drops of dish soap in a quart of water. Put in a spray bottle and spray the plants.
Good luck
Use an insecticidal soap and be sure to spray the underside of the leaves.
Hi Debbie. Mix together: one part vinegar, three parts water, and one teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Pour this mixture in a spray bottle and spray your tomato plants with it. Good luck Debbie.
Hello. I’ve been recently trouble by them too and I was just using a forceful hose stream to blow them off and finally they seem to have disappeared.
I was about ready to go by the proper soap ( no dawn or ultra dish soap formulations) to make the insecticidal soap but my problem seems to have self corrected.
Here is my screenshot for the insecticidal soap recipe. I hope this helps
I am in zone seven and my tomatoes are really struggling with the heat and humidity this year. Last year - at this time I had a good harvest going
Spray infested tomato plants with insecticidal soap, concentrating the spray on the underside of the leaves where whiteflies congregate and breed. Repeat the application every three days until no more whiteflies are present. Spray in the evening to minimize contact with beneficial insects.
I have always heard that you should plant marigolds in your garden.
Look to Google for companion plants. It lists what repels pests naturally to grow with your garden plants. It really works.
Usually I knock them off with a strong hose and it gets rid of them. You may have to do it a few times.
try using a insecticidal soap
I've tried soay water in a spray btl. on bugs / flies on my roses..
It worked. Later,some nasty bugs on roses -a garden center led me to some 3-in1 Insect, Disease, & Mite Control ( keep out of reach of children) and now .. I 'm fearful of using it. (I asked the guy: Woud Rachael Carson approve of this product...) ** Can't RETURN most any products these days. Am I out my $ 12. bucks ?
Hello Debbie,
Try hairspray on leaves or pick off the leaves.....?
I've sprayed on watered down soap and it helps a ton!
This natural product worked for my tomato plants: https://amzn.to/2WxPR1v
Hope this Helps! Jeremy - https://pahjodesigns.com