Question
Hello,
I live in WV and a few months ago I bought an orange hibiscus plant.  A few days ago I noticed white, lice-like bugs all over the leaves and the buds.  What are these, and how do I get rid of them.   I want to bring the plant indoors but don't want these bugs in my house.
Sincerely,
Rose

Answer
Rose, these insects are appropriately named after their appearance.  They are called whiteflies.

There are several organic products on the market that will control whiteflies.  These include insecticidal soaps, rotenone, and pyrethrum.

Although insecticidal soaps are very effective against whiteflies, they will not prevent future infestations.  I personally use yellow sticky traps to control this insect.  Whiteflies are attracted to the color yellow, which make them very easy to trap.  You can purchase sticky traps
through many on-line catalogs, such as Gardens Alive! or Planet Natural, or at most garden centers. You can also make your own by purchasing yellow poster board and cutting it into 4"X6" sections.  Apply molasses or clear glue to the boards and hang them on a post or stick in your garden.

If spraying is your only option, you can purchase insecticidal soap at your local garden center or make your own.  Simply add 1 tbs. of dishwashing soap (not the concentrated brands and not detergent) per gallon of water.  Spray liberally once every 3-5 days until the
infestation is under control.

Pyrethrum and rotenone are highly effective organic products that are extracts of other plants.  Although they are very toxic to insects, they are completely safe to humans, pets, and the environment.  The great thing about these products is that they can be applied right up to the day of harvest.  The negative side is that they will kill beneficial insects such as lady bugs and bees.  But the same is true, of course, if you were to use a chemical insecticide.

Attached is a website that will give you information and pricing on these and other organic controls.

http://www.gardensalive.com/

I hope this information helps. Thanks for writing, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike