The cabbage whitefly, often called whitefly, loves cabbage and especially kale. Find out below how you can recognize a whitefly infestation, what you can do against the insects and whether you can still eat your kale despite the infestation.
In principle, cabbage can be eaten even if it is infested with whitefly
Recognize the whitefly
Whiteflies are usually only a few millimeters in size, but are still easily recognizable with the naked eye. Since they usually occur in large numbers, whole clouds of white-winged insects fly up when the affected leaves are touched. The much smaller, greenish larvae, which resemble scale insects and - as the name suggests - belong to the genus of plant lice, are difficult to recognize.
The cabbage whitefly exudes a sticky substance that is very characteristic of this pest species.
Fight the whitefly
Whiteflies can be controlled with the usual biological insect repellents:
- Soft soap solution with alcohol: Mix 1 tablespoon of soft soap (€44.90) in 1 liter of water with 100 ml of alcohol
- neem oil
- Canola oil: 1 part canola oil to 2 parts water, possibly a few drops of washing-up liquid
Put your chosen home remedy in a spray bottle and spray your cabbage infested with cabbage whitefly thoroughly. Remove badly affected leaves.
Repeat the spraying every 5 to 7 days, including some time after the flies have gone, to discourage newly emerged ones.
Can kale infested with whitefly still be eaten?
Generally, yes. Whiteflies are neither poisonous nor inedible, but just a bit disgusting. You can leave the kale in water for some time after harvesting, and this will eliminate the vast majority of flies. However, you will not get rid of the larvae in this way. However, larvae are only proteins that do not harm you in any way. If you subsequently boil or roast your kale, the sticky secretion will also dissipate. But hardly anyone likes the thought that she is lice, even if in principle there is nothing wrong with it.