How do you control thrip?
thahalibut
14 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (28)
kstrong
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Controlling thrips while pregnant?
Comments (4)Are your plants in ground or potted? I don't blame you for being concerned about chemicals. Why would you put chemicals on plants you intend to eat (or eat the fruit of?) At least produce at the store was (supposedly) treated with appropriate substances at a controlled rate with the appropriate equipment at the appropriate time. Just because you're allowed to buy it, doesn't mean it's safe, just that it's not known to be UNsafe. Not a standard with which I'm comfortable. I don't put anything from a package on plants in my yard, especially edibles. That would defeat the purpose of growing at home to have some free of chemicals, and to not have any of that kind of thing on our property at all. Native wildlife such as hummingbirds, other birds, butterflies, toads, anoles, honey bees, and so many others that are attracted to landscape plants can be harmed by so many of these supposedly 'low toxicity' chemicals. A sad irony is that chemicals that kill a particular pest are also likely harmful to predators of that pest, possibly exacerbating the problem since one individual predator can eliminate exponentially many more individual pests. For beneficials to show up, there must first be some pests. Basil seeds are usually $1 or less if you'd like to start a new crop. Trimming the tips off could do wonders for a thrip problem. Not that familiar with them in particular, but pests tend to congregate on tender new growth. You could take cuttings, vigorously rinse them, plant in a different part of the yard. Basil takes root easily, within days. A lot of fun to play with! Tender new growth is what tastes best anyway. The more you trim them, the more of that they will grow. Once plants lignify, I think the flavor suffers, but many more plants and yummy meals are needed for personal investigation... over the next (hopefully) 30-40 years! There is so much said about basil out there, much of it conflicting. Understandable since I don't have a consensus among myself yet after all these years, though never experienced the luxury of living in a frost-free place. Good article, Kim. Hosing plants down is what I do when I think plants need help with a pest problem but for plants in the ground, I don't usually do anything unless nature isn't responding quickly enough, the plant is in danger (not just under attack.) A few occasional pests won't cause permanent damage to a mature landscape plant. Good luck with your baby, and plants!...See MoreAphids or thrips on indoor seedlings... how to control?
Comments (1)I've sprayed seedlings with insecticidal soap before and not had burn issues. Putting the plants outside won't necessarily help; I've had whitefly infestations on plants that were spending a fair bit of time outdoors, and aphids outdoors in the vegetable garden....See MoreThrips ... Yes I've got em..How to control ??
Comments (7)I have been battling them all spring and summer here in Prescott, AZ, starting with "organic" methods such as insecticidal soap and garlic oil spray, neither had any significant impact. Then I went to the vegetable dust with "permethrin", which does not have long residual (this is the same ingredient in flea powder for your pets), but it did little to help. Finally, last week I couldn't take it anymore. I was so tired of seeing thrips infested blossoms drop to the ground, and was fearing spotted wilt virus of which they are vectors, so I broke down and decided to go for the big guns, as I too want to "nuke em"! So I sprayed with malathion. My neighbor has successfully used that on her fruit trees and berries to control thrips (they are the same kind as what's on our tomatoes: western flower thrips). I sprayed with a hose end dial sprayer to get good thorough wetting. But I also mixed some solution in a spray bottle and painstakingly lifted each blossom in one hand and sprayed a fine mist into the flower with the spray bottle. One web site I found suggested that the fine mist penetrates the blossoms better. It's not quite been a week, so it's premature to draw definite conclusions, but I do visually inspect my 9 precious mater plants every day (much to my husband's chagrin, several times a day), and since I sprayed, I am seeing fewer thrips, my plants definitely look perkier, and the new growth is thrips-damage free so far. I hope in a few more days I can say with certainty that my blossom drop is also diminishing, seems like it is. I am still finding the little suckers on my plants, but not as many. So I feel hopeful. I intend to respray again after one week, and perhaps will continue through the summer, though I'd like to discontinue if possible. I was thinking that maybe if I can get the infestation under control, then I can go back to organic methods as preventive maintenance? I also practice a vigorous "squishing" protocol every morning. They are quick little suckers so you kind of have to ambush them. When you see one, carefully put your index finger of one hand real close to it. It will run in the opposite direction from your finger. But little does it know that you are waiting for it to run right where you want it to so that you can quickly "squish" it with your other hand. I usually put my first finger behind it so it runs toward the front of the stem in perfect position for the kill! I realize this may sound tedious or perhaps neurotic, but when you figure that the adult female can lay between 130 to 250 eggs, it somehow makes every ambush "squish" well worth the effort, not to mention the personal satisfaction!!! Once you get into it, you'll know what I mean! There is tons of info on the web, just search by western flower thrips. Keep us all posted as to your methods and results!!! Hope this helps! Good Luck!!!! AZ Kayla...See MoreOMG Blue cup thrips control actually works!!
Comments (106)So I've been seeing the new growth on a lot of my roses looking wrinkly and the buds tiny and brown. After reading this thread, I figured why not try this cup idea. All I had were small white cups, so I just coated them with coconut oil spray and put them outside about 30 minutes ago. I just checked and it looks like I caught a few and probably some dirt too... so I'm hopeful this will work! I put out about 15 cups. I thought it was the heat causing the problem with my roses and now realize that's only part of the problem, it certainly appears to be thrips!...See Morethahalibut
14 years agokstrong
14 years agohenry_kuska
14 years agomike_in_new_orleans
14 years agojerijen
14 years agohosenemesis
14 years agothahalibut
14 years agojim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
14 years agohenry_kuska
14 years agohummer344
14 years agojim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
14 years agohenry_kuska
14 years agojim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
14 years agomike_in_new_orleans
14 years agokstrong
14 years agojim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
14 years agobuford
13 years agoazurerose
13 years agoeaj09
13 years agoeagleshadow
13 years agosaldut
13 years agopkapeckopickldpepprz
13 years agobelinda2010
13 years agomrlike2u
13 years agoteka2rjleffel
13 years agobelinda2010
13 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESThis Fly Is One of the Most Beneficial Insects Around
Meet the syrphid fly, a colorful pollinator that also beats chemicals for controlling aphids and other garden pests
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESLook Out for Lacewings: Beneficial Insects Coming to a Garden Near You
Lacewings are delicate insects that produce alligator-like, hungry offspring that devour aphids and other garden pests
Full StoryHOUSEPLANTSGet a Dash of the Rain Forest With Madagascar Dragon Tree
This living decoration reaches up to 15 feet, has minimal needs and adapts to different light levels — just steer clear of fluoride
Full Story
mike_in_new_orleans