Strange reason millions of tiny white flies are now swarming across the UK

10 October 2023 , 10:24

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Whiteflies have seemingly boomed in population across the UK (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The UK has recently been swarmed by millions of tiny white insects, known as whiteflies and there's a bizarre reason behind the sudden invasion.

These creatures, which measure around 1.5mm in length, are clearly distinguishable from other insects, and due to their colour were even mistaken for snowfall on occasion. But as more and more people up and down the country have spotted what's going on, they've been left scratching their heads as to what's behind the sudden appearance of the insects.

Known as Whiteflies, they are typically found in greenhouses or on house plants and often fly up around people's faces when disturbed. There are eight main types of these common sap-feeding bugs in Britain, and they can be found living on a variety of plants and foliage.

They also feed on fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and melons, which can be problematic for those growing their own produce. Glasshouse whiteflies thrive in warm conditions and have recently been so widespread, it's believed, due to the recent heatwave in the UK created ideal breeding conditions for them, YorkshireLive reported.

While they're not usually a problem on outdoor plants, they can often be found all-year round on house plants and in greenhouses where conditions are warmer. Whiteflies are covered with a waxy white dust so you can easily spot signs of them by looking for a white dusting on plants, particularly beneath the leaves around the veins, or around the soil.

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Leaves may also have a sticky coating or a black sooty mould on top. If the insects are feeding, they will abruptly fly off in a swarm if disturbed, indicating a clear sign of infestation. Although these creatures pose no harm to humans, they can be quite bothersome in gardens. If you wish to eliminate them naturally without resorting to pesticides, there are several options available.

One method involves mixing washing up soap with warm water and applying this mixture to plant leaves. This prevents the flies from adhering to the plants. After leaving it for some time, rinse the plant to remove the dead bugs and repeat the process until the issue is under control. A combination of vinegar and water should also prove effective.

Strong-smelling plants like mint or parsley can deter whiteflies. Similarly, spraying a diluted solution of essential oils and water onto leaves can help keep these pests at bay.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Claire Schofield