I am not sure what type of small white animal you mean—perhaps a small white flying insect? White flies are the most common white pest on plants and they can be controlled by blasting the plant with water several times a day. This will cause the white fly to dislodge. After repeated blasting with water the population will die down. White flies are attracted to plants that have been allowed to dry out or are otherwise stressed. A cold winter will kill them off, so if you have white flies on your hanging baskets or outdoor shrubs you may just have to wait for winter and a fresh start in the spring. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti