Hello Winnie,

Were these white flies flying or dead?

If they were dead, they are the shredded skin from one or other of the insects, possible aphids. These are the cast off skins of the nymphs going into adulthood.

Symptoms of aphids are:
1. yellowing and curling of leaves.
2. wilt and distortion
3. stunting of new growth

You might look for a sticky substance, honeydew exuded by aphids. Ants soon discover this and will protect the insect in order to get the honeydew.

Honeydew may also turn with a black sooty mold.

Safer's Insecticidal soap should help if you see aphids in the flowers. They can be green, yellow, brown, red or black.

Aphids seldom kill a plant but you should be aware of the chemicals that will control them. For a large outbreak such as in a green house, use Malathion or Diazinon, but if you have only a few plants concerned, try the insecticidal soap first.

If you see small white flies hanging from under the leaves and they fly when you disturb them, there is another solution.

Nancy

Hi Nancy...no flying things at all. Nothing under the leaves...just the 6 or so dead white flies. Have not found any more. Today I bought cat flea collars and cut them up and put them around my shelves. I also hung up a Vapona no pest strip. It's supposed to kill flies and mosquitoes indoors for up to 4 months. Will keep an eye on things and see what happens.I also put up the little yellow sticky things among the plants and hung up the blue sticky strips also..covering all my bases LOL! So, seeing that nothing is flying, do you have any more ideas on what it could be?

Winnie, it sure sounds like aphids. If it's only a few, I would isolate that plant and look hard for little green bugs on the flower stems (especially right below the flowers). If you find them, you can squish them (carefully) or dab them with some plain old rubbing alcohol. Works like a charm.

Korina