"trap plants" for whiteflies

13 years ago

I've been reading a book lately called "Gardening for Geeks" by Christy Wilhelmi. in it there was brief mention of using "trap plants", or plants that are so attractive to insects that they leave your crops alone and go after the trap plants. an example listed was nasturtium for aphids. are there any plants like this that would draw whiteflies away from my pepper plants? I'm a first year grower, and currently losing the battle. soap sprays keep them at bay, sort of. lacewings help, but they're not doing enough. I'd rather do things a better way, if there is a better way.

I posted this in the garden clinic as well, but you guys seem to have a lot of experience with whiteflies, so I figured it would be appropriate here too.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

woohooman San Diego CA zone 10a
13 years ago
I'm not sure. But I'm also not sure if that strategy is sound...especially in a small space that you have yourself.

Basically, with trap plants, you're inviting other pests (that aren't currently in your garden) into your garden.

Lacewings do help immensely. At least from all my research. Perhaps you just don't have enough to take care of the job. I have a few that stop by, but I just released some eggs a few days ago because I need more. When the girl took my order, she asked me what I was using them for, whiteflies? I took that question as a fact of them being very effective against whitelflies.

Are your plants looking sickly? If not, keep doing what you're doing. Or...get ready to get into another fight with your wife becuse you want to order some lacewing eggs. ;)

Kevin
habjolokia z 6b/7
13 years ago
So maybe throw a mix of lacewing and whitefly parasites (tiny wasp) both together would probably wipe them out.

Mark
Related Professionals
Houston Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Worcester Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Salina Landscape Contractors · Gaithersburg Landscape Contractors · Meridian Landscape Contractors · Charleston Landscape Contractors · Moline Landscape Contractors · Marquette Landscape Contractors · Ithaca Landscape Contractors · Burlington Landscape Contractors · Flagstaff Landscape Contractors · Modesto Landscape Contractors · Charleston Home Builders · Green Bay Home Builders · Eugene Home Builders
woohooman San Diego CA zone 10a
13 years ago
Yep. mark brings up a very good point. There are other beneficials that one can order to specifically target a particular pest. I just push lacewings because they're a good all-around beneficial and they won't break the bank.

Kevin