what are the tiny white flies in my garden

The tiny white flies in a garden are most often whiteflies —tiny, moth- like sap-sucking insects that gather on the undersides of leaves and fly up in a little cloud when disturbed.

Quick Scoop

Whiteflies are not true flies; they’re more closely related to aphids and mealybugs. They can cause yellowing leaves , sticky honeydew , and sometimes black sooty mold on plants.

How to tell

• Whiteflies: tiny white moth-like bugs that fly when you shake the plant.

• Mealybugs: look more like cottony white clumps on stems and leaf joints.

• Aphids: usually cluster on new growth and may be pale or white.

• Fungus gnats: more likely to hover near wet soil than sit on leaves.

What to do

• Check the undersides of leaves first.

• If you see them, try spraying the plant with water or using insecticidal soap.

• Remove badly infested leaves if the plant can handle it.

• Keep an eye on nearby plants, because whiteflies spread easily.

If you want, I can help you figure out whether they’re whiteflies, fungus gnats, or mealybugs from a photo or a description of the plant.