According to Sunset Western Garden Book, aphids damage a wide variety of plants by piercing the leaves and stems, then sucking out plant juices. Mealy bugs and whiteflies attack both indoor and outdoor plants, and are troublesome in warm winter areas. They suck plant juices, causing stunting, and in some cases kill the plant.
Additionally, a recent study by the Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of California, Riverside, comparing several pesticides side by side indicated that the use of a strong stream of water directed to the undersides of infested leaves (syringing) "...performed as well or better than chemical treatments." The study recommends syringing at least once a week for high whitefly population, then once every two or three weeks as populations decrease. Sunset Western Garden Book also recommends hitting both sides of the leaves of infested plants.
Sunset Western Garden Book 40th Anniversary Edition
Whiteflies - "Hose off infested plants, hitting both sides of all leaves to wash off adults and crawlers (newly hatched nymphs); repeat every few days." page 592
Aphids - "Fortunately, you can get rid of most aphids with a blast of water from the hose." page 530
Mealybugs - "Outdoors, hose plants with jets of water…" page 555
Spider Mites - "...jet it thoroughly with water to wash off the mites…" page 555
Additionally, a recent study by the Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of California, Riverside, comparing several pesticides side by side indicated that the use of a strong stream of water directed to the undersides of infested leaves (syringing) "...performed as well or better than chemical treatments." The study recommends syringing at least once a week for high whitefly population, then once every two or three weeks as populations decrease. Sunset Western Garden Book also recommends hitting both sides of the leaves of infested plants.
Sunset Western Garden Book 40th Anniversary Edition
Whiteflies - "Hose off infested plants, hitting both sides of all leaves to wash off adults and crawlers (newly hatched nymphs); repeat every few days." page 592
Aphids - "Fortunately, you can get rid of most aphids with a blast of water from the hose." page 530
Mealybugs - "Outdoors, hose plants with jets of water…" page 555
Spider Mites - "...jet it thoroughly with water to wash off the mites…" page 555
Whiteflies
"I have two old Hibiscuses that have been badly infested with whitefly, aphids and that black sooty residue. Both all well over 6 feet tall and obviously planted in the ground. Skeptically I ordered a Bug Blaster and it is just AMAZING!! One plant looked like it was covered with that fake spider web stuff you can buy at Halloween (the whitefly population was THAT bad) and the other one looked like it had coal dust all over it and it was losing leaves daily. The Bug Blaster is easy and fun to use and what a difference!! I've gone out to look at the plants several times today just to make sure they look THAT good now. I can see that I will have to use the sprayer several more times to totally eradicate the infestations, but I feel so much better about it than using Orthenex as I have little children. Also it doesn't blast the buds off like I was sure it would. Next the fuschias, the oleanders and the roses..."
BB, California
BB, California
Ken Wagner of Orange County, CA
GARDENING ENTHUSIAST
"I was asked to test this product on my Whitefly infested Hibiscus. At first I was very skeptical, to say the least. To my surprise The Bug Blaster was easy to use and worked great. In just one week I had full control of the Whiteflies. I also had no concerns for my family and pets from chemical residue. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone."
Sincerely, Ken Wagner
Sincerely, Ken Wagner