White Flies on Lettuce - Ask Extension
We grow lettuce in an unheated Hoop House through the winter and are plagued by white flies. White flies are not a problem for lettuce grown outside i...
Knowledgebase
White Flies on Lettuce #865088
Asked April 19, 2024, 10:12 AM EDT
We grow lettuce in an unheated Hoop House through the winter and are plagued by white flies. White flies are not a problem for lettuce grown outside in the warmer times of year. We would like a solution to eliminate white flies during the winter season inside the Hoop House.
Columbiana County Ohio
Expert Response
Whiteflies are often a problem in a greenhouse which your hoop house effectively is. Here is an article from Colorado State with some control suggestions: https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/greenhouse-whitefly-5-587/.
UNH which might have weather more similar to ours suggests that cold keeps them from starting up. Assuming your area of choice is clean and free of larvae, might you start them outside later to be sure eggs are killed ? https://extension.unh.edu/resource/greenhouse-whitefly-fact-sheet
You will notice that the references end in .edu; other sites ending in .gov or .org will also always give you reliable, research-based information you can trust.
The earlier you start of an eradication problem and the more consistaant you are, the better your chances are of winning this battle but it will not be easy.
Good luck.
UNH which might have weather more similar to ours suggests that cold keeps them from starting up. Assuming your area of choice is clean and free of larvae, might you start them outside later to be sure eggs are killed ? https://extension.unh.edu/resource/greenhouse-whitefly-fact-sheet
You will notice that the references end in .edu; other sites ending in .gov or .org will also always give you reliable, research-based information you can trust.
The earlier you start of an eradication problem and the more consistaant you are, the better your chances are of winning this battle but it will not be easy.
Good luck.
