Are these white fly

[Jch64]

Hi All

Only been gardening 8 month but addicted already. So here's me first question, a simple un a hope.

Planted some cauliflower seedlings out about 4 weeks ago. They seem to be doing well except when I checked um today loads of really tiny grey / white things took flight. Very similar in appearance to ash. Within seconds they went an settled back on the underside of the leaves.

1. Are these the dreaded white fly, if not what could they be ?

2. I plan spraying them tomorrow with a garlic pepper type mixture, will this get rid of um. If not what do yous suggest, ideally an organic method please.

Thanks in advance for your time and any advice given

Cheers John

[Martin H]

Yep, sounds like cabbage whitefly. I get them every year on my allotment. I usually leave them to get on with things, they don't seem to cause a whole lot of damage.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=482

[Jungle Jane]

There was a colour netting test that showed using a yellow net,the whitefly were mainly sitting on the netting. They are attracted to yellow so using the sticky yellow card traps would help. Check everywhere for the whitefly nymphs they can't fly for a week or two,if you can find them it reduces the problem. I don't know if the garlic spray works with whitefly,they get annoyed if you keep squirting them though & squash by hand.

[Jch64]

Thanks both for your prompt replies. I refine from squishing if I can help it ( bit of a tree hugger in me old age ) but thanks for the advice about spraying um with garlic. If they don't do any substantial damage am inclined to leave um be for now.