Whiteflies love tomatoes, so it can be quite a challenge to control major outbreaks of this pest! It’s essential to stay on top of any outbreaks early in the season.

• Garden Clean-Up: At the start of the season, clear away any dead plant material and weeds near your tomato beds to reduce hiding spots for pests.
• Daily Checks: As your young tomatoes start growing, inspect the plants daily for any signs of whiteflies. You can remove them by hand or wash them off gently with a hose.
• Leaf Management: Trim excess leaves to reduce hiding spots as your plants mature, making it less inviting for whiteflies.
• Water Treatment: If whiteflies persist, start try spraying leaves, particularly the undersides, with a fine, high-pressure mist from your hose 2-3 times a day for at least three days in a row. This often encourages the remaining flies to find a new home where their feeding is not constantly interrupted.
• Alternative Treatment: We don't recommend using insecticides on tomatoes because the fruit is edible. However, if whiteflies remain an issue after the water treatment, you can use horticultural oil applied at the summer/evergreen rate to tackle stubborn infestations.