We put in a hedge of white wing hibiscus along the front of our house when we bought it20 years ago. They were beautiful and the past few years they'd been plagued with giant white fly. Tried everything from water spray, hand picking organic and chemical pest controls, including hiring a service and they kept coming back. Didn't hurt the plant, but so unsightly with all that cotton candy looking stuff hanging off them which would get sooty mold and turn black. And expensive. Finally gave up and had them removed a few weeks ago. Looks naked and ugly out there, and no clue what to plant instead, but at least I'm done with the white flies and chemicals...until they find something else to go after. Didn't know they liked cannas. Was going to put them in my back yard, but no way. I'm interested to hear if anyone else has a solution. I have a red hibiscus in my back yard and am afraid they'll find it!

Go with the Earthworm CastingsÂI swear by them. :) We used to have a terrible infestation of White Flies and have cut back considerably with the use of the castingsÂI use the castings regularly in the garden. I also raise Earthworms and use them as wellÂthey can help aerate the soil so they do double duty (no pun intended). :) A farmer told me that the castings are wonderful and she was absolutely correct. A biologist and I were talking about the castings one day and he concurred. I use them in the citrus tree pots (my trees are in pots), with the Plumeria, and EVERYWHERE! Where we once had a lot of White Flies, now we have next to none. Our neighbors' WF problems (that nasty white fluffy stuff) that you can see in the breeze? Not our problem! :) We've mentioned it to them and those who use the castings have seen the difference as well. We don't use pesticides in our garden although my husband does use some systemics for some of his plants because I raise butterfliesÂMy Butterfly Sanctuary is completely and utterly insecticide-free.

Crush and chop 3 cloves of garlic. Put in a gallon jug and let it sit in the sun several (at least 5) days. Strain the water through a pair of old panty hose or a coffee filter will do. Add a few drops of Dawn dishwshing liquid. Spray late in the afternoon after the heat of the day. Spray plants with water the next morning before sun gets too hot and bright.

I was TRYING to get a better description from Carol regarding those little flies. I was thinking in terms of the Long Legged flies, which are pretty little iridescent insects....often green, but can be blue, gold, or other colors. I'll attach an image. They are beneficial. "small, orange, egg looking things" is a difficult description to go by. Do your own search on Milkweed Aphid and decide if that's it. If not, let us know if they are insects or if they are eggs. ;-) The flies would be after the aphids, by the way. Here is a link that might be useful: