They seem to like the hybrid teas more than the Austins and ogrs that I have. I feel really bad about spraying because I have bees that visit my rose garden.

Sorry to hear the bad news.

I am not an expert on either chili thrips or on spinosad but I do have a research-based approach to this kind of question. I found a study that seems to say that if you time your spraying carefully, you can use spinosad without particularly harming your bees. You will want to spray when no bees are around (perhaps evening?) so that the spray will dry thoroughly before bees come in contact with it. And you will want to use the lowest effective level. The instructions on the label should be your guide.

A recent report in the news recently suggests that many sprays that do not directly harm bees by themselves may have a cumulative effect, particularly residues in pollen. This was reported for even fungicides, which surprised me. I expect we'll hear more about this in time one way or the other as more information emerges.

Rosefolly

Here is a link that might be useful: Spinosad and bees

You have to cut back the damaged areas and immediately bag the clippings to throw away. It's not just you! In my garden they like everything and I haven't seen a rose class they prefer over any others. Once they really get going, it's just everywhere.

Malcolm Manners has observed different levels of susceptibility to chilli thrips in the garden at Florida Southern College. Maybe he'll come in with a list.

Rosefolly's link is very encouraging about the safety of spinosad for pollinators. And yes, honeybees will always have left the garden by sunset.

I'll spray tonight around 8pm.

It' s not just you. Sigh......

Could someone post a photo of a rose bloom damaged by thrips please? bart

These are from last year. I haven't really taken any this year, though there is still some damage on Miss Atwood that I haven't gotten to yet that I can snap pictures of later.

Here is a link that might be useful: Chilli Thrips (on photobucket)

We don't get these kind of thrips around here (thank goodness). but we do have to be careful about our bees. If you spray very early in the morning or even better later in the evening, the impact on pollinators will be reduced substantially. Pollinators work almost an eight-to-six day, maybe continuing work somewhat later but usually not starting much earlier.

And FYI, spinsosad is NOT intrinsically safe for bees. Lab tests have shown that it is actually intrinsically toxic to pollinators. You should take the same precautions with it that you do with other insecticides to minimize impact on pollinators.

Nickl, the article to which I posted the link does not say that spinosad is intrinsically safe for pollinators. It agrees with your comment. What it does say is that the risk can be minimized with appropriate handling, that being to spray when bees are not present; to make sure that the product has at least 3 hours to dry before bees will be present; and to use the least amount of product to do the job.

I'm glad you brought that up since it gave me a chance to summarize for people who will not go to read the actual link. It is always a risk given that not everyone will go to the source for the full story.

Rosefolly

Removing accidental duplicate post. Somehow I find it easier to do recently.

This post was edited by rosefolly on Mon, Jul 29, 13 at 17:41

Honeybees stay in the hive from sunset to sunrise and on overcast days because they rely on the sun for navigation. If you have to spray insecticide (I never do), spray in the evening so it will be dry when bees come out in the morning. Then, according to the research article, spinosad is safe for honeybees.