In cold-winter climates, whiteflies are mostly greenhouse or indoor pests, but they can be found in the garden. In mild-winter climates with no winter cold to kill them, whiteflies are serious outdoor pests. In recent years in the Southwest, pests such as the silverleaf whitefly have been among the most damaging to agriculture. Adult whiteflies hide and feed on the undersides of leaves. Like aphids, whiteflies reproduce quickly, laying white eggs that hatch into white crawlers on the undersides of leaves.
Whiteflies thrive in sunny, warm conditions.
The crawlers and adult flies suck plant juices, weakening the plants. Aphid and whitefly controls. The first line of defense is prevention. Check plants regularly. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which create young, succulent growth which these insects love.