I really would like to know how well they do for you. I know ladybugs are natural pest control for aphids. We have plenty of aphids and then plenty of ladybugs here. But I had never heard of them for thrips. I hope that works.

The thing is while I have seen ladybugs and larvae all the time on anything that has aphids here, I never see them on my daylilies. And this year I have more thrip damage than ever before.

I've never heard of using ladybugs for thrip control. Don't know that they or their larvae are fast enough to catch thrips, but do hope it works out for you.
There is a relatively new type of insecticide, classified as organic and relatively safe to use, called spinosad, specifically used for thrips. Consider it if they are still a problem after the ladybugs leave.
Ed

Let us know how they do. It would be wonderful if it works.

kay

Ed- I had to spray an insecticide for Thrips the very first time this year. I think I would rather use the sponosid if its effective. How often does it have to be strayed?

Boy, you guys are a downer. At the least they should eat the spider mites. They are supposed to eat any small, plant sucking insects. We shall see. The woman I spoke with has been in business for 20 years specializing in orgainc control and does lectures around the country.

If they don't, my back up plan are Nemotodes- direct dis-likers of Thrips! (she sells those, too)

I won't use ANY type of product on my yard, house, whatever that I don't know what the ingredients are. It really has to be a HUGE problem to have me resort to chemical solutions. My husband is allergic to fragrances and list of other chem's- hence I don't want my kids to use them if they cause a reaction in him (blisters on his hands). No, I'm not a hippie...I'm just trying to use natural when and where I can.

Dani

I think it's great that you are trying the ladybugs. I hope it works for you. Please let us know. Did the kids help set them loose with you? My girls would love that.
Michelle

I'm sorry to be so Debbie Downer on you Dani. ;0)
I do hope the ladybugs work for you. And I understand the concern about using chemicals, though when you think about it, most every thing is chemical in nature. Some just safer to be around than others.

Hi Rita,
Spinosad is supposed to have good lasting action, so you should only have to spray once. Here's a link with more information on the insecticide.
Ed

Here is a link that might be useful: Spinosad info.

Thanks Ed. I just ordered it on line. I am so fed up with these thrips. I just didn't want to use the insecticide because of the bees and eathworms. But I broke down and did yesterday so who knows if I really need the Spinosad now or not. But I am tired of the damaged blooms so will try it after it gets here.

I had to post this pic for you Dani. We have several Ladybugs here and today I captured a pic of one crawling over the daylily buds. I've noticed several in different parts of the garden.

Julia

good luck! I love them - so cute! I'm very sensitive to fragrances and chemicals, but I use a chemical spray for thrips and the smell goes away once it dries so you don't smell it even a few hours later. I've gotten it on me as well and had no reaction. I try to just spray the buds and not the foliage or soil. I don't know if this is what I'm supposed to be doing but I figure, that's where the thrips are eating away at my buds.

Ed and Rita - I hate to burst your bubble, but spinosad has to be sprayed repeatedly to be effective. I've been spraying with it every other day for three weeks and I'm still seeing thrips here and there. It does seem to flush them out of the buds though.

Debra

Shoot! Well, better to know that it has to be reapplied than to wonder why it doesn't work. I don't want to talk too soon for fear of jinxing myself but the new blooms look cleaner with less thrip damage after I sprayed with the systemic insecticide.