A Florida Homeowner's Guide To Controlling Whiteflies

A FLORIDA HOMEOWNER'S GUIDE TO CONTROLLING WHITEFLIES A yard is a place to relax, garden, entertain and spend time with your family. In Florida, whiteflies are often an unwelcome guest in your outdoor oasis. Whiteflies are a growing problem, because they: • Can damage a wide variety of palms and other native trees • Feed on trees, introducing toxic saliva and causing major damage • Carry and transmit diseases What's the key to getting rid of these tiny terrors and getting back your beautiful landscape? Follow the steps below to diagnose and fix the problem. Know the signs There are dozens of whiteflies species found in Florida, and they can affect plants differently. In addition to stunted growth, yellowing leaves and leaf drop, look for these telltale signs: • White, wooly wax in spiral patterns on the underside of leaves • "Honeydew," a sticky substance, coating leaves • Dark, sooty mold on leaves (that often spreads elsewhere) FICUS ARE EXTREMELY SUSCEPTIBLE TO WHITEFLIES INFESTATIONS! If your hedges are scrawny and sick-looking, try treating them for whiteflies instead of spending thousands of dollars on replacements. Call the experts Treat it right At the first sign, contact a local, reliable pest control professional for an inspection. Your community association management company can help you by providing Ask your pest control pro which treatment is right for your problem. Consider the varying degrees of speed, environmental impact and long-term results: PEST CONTROL • Treat bark and spray foliage • Drench roots • Inject the trunk a recommendation. If whiteflies nest in your community, meet them with full force. To learn more about preventing and controlling whiteflies - and keeping your community beautiful year-round - contact FirstService Residential, Florida's leading community association management company. FirstService RESIDENTIAL