Eliminating Whiteflies on Poinsettias Brought Indoors

Whiteflies love poinsettias and hibiscus. Moving plants indoors after a summer outside often brings these pests with them.

Hose spray: On a mild day, take plants outside and blast all foliage (especially undersides) with a strong jet of water. This dislodges most adults and nymphs.
Soapy water spray: Back inside, spray every leaf and stem until dripping with a solution of liquid dish soap and water. This kills remaining larvae and eggs.

Monitor daily. At the first sign of reinfestation, repeat the soapy spray. Thoroughness is key—missed individuals reproduce rapidly.

House Plants: Whiteflies on Indoor Hibiscus: Breaking the Cycle; Tiny White Jumping Bugs in Vegetable Garden Soil: Springtails or Pests?; White Oval Specks on Bushes: Scale Insects, Not Fungus; Tiny White Bugs in Bedroom Attracted to Light: Mold Mites, Indicate Moisture; Tiny Flying Bugs on Houseplants: Aphids, Mites, or Flea Beetles?; Aphids on Sundews: Identification and Safe Treatment; Fixing Soil Mistakes: Vermiculite, Contaminated Peat, and Springtail Infestations; Eliminating Fungus Gnats: A Step-by-Step Soil-Drying Method; Whitefly on Poinsettias: Isolate and Spray; Tiny White Bugs in Houseplant Soil? Fungus Gnat Larvae—Fix by Drying Out and Alcohol Watering

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