Commonly, thrips are feeding on other insects by sucking out their insides. Yet, there are some kinds of thrips which reside inside the buds and leaves of various plants, sucking their zaps and leave them to die. Thrips infestation over plants can be identified through some black seed-like materials attached on the leaves and flower buds. As a result of thrip infestation, plants turn pale and eventually die. Infested plants are also commonly discolored or scarred. Some vegetation such as carrots, beans, onions, and other garden plants, including roses are susceptible to thrip infestation. Indoor thrip infestation is possible since potted plants which are placed indoor might be the source of these pests.
Thrips infestation over plants can be identified through some black seed-like materials attached on the leaves and flower buds. As a result of thrip infestation, plants turn pale and eventually die. Infested plants are also commonly discolored or scarred. Some vegetation such as carrots, beans, onions, and other garden plants, including roses are susceptible to thrip infestation. Indoor thrip infestation is possible since potted plants which are placed indoor might be the source of these pests.
Some vegetation such as carrots, beans, onions, and other garden plants, including roses are susceptible to thrip infestation. Indoor thrip infestation is possible since potted plants which are placed indoor might be the source of these pests.
How to kill thrips
Thrip management can be done with or without chemicals. In large lawn where plants have been severely damaged by this pest, chemical treatment is usually preferred. However, there are also some non-chemical treatments which can be used in killing thrips. While chemical–based products are assumed to be more practical and quicker, non-chemical ones are safer and more eco-friendly. To kill thrips, here are some methods which can be tried.
- Traps
Thrips which have been invading your house through some potted plants can be killed using sticky traps. It may be difficult to find specific thrip traps, but you can consider sticky traps used for ants and other insects. Put some traps around the areas you find thrip infestation in. To use sticky traps outdoor—in the garden, for instance, put or hang the traps near the tree stems.
- Vacuuming
Vacuuming is another simple method you can use to kill thrips. This method can even be employed not to kill only adult thrips but also its eggs and larvae. Make sure you empty the vacuum bag outside to prevent indoor re-infestation. You can also place some mothballs in the vacuum bag to make vacuumed thrips are killed prior to disposal.
- By using thrip toxicants
There are some things which can be used as thrip toxicants. Soapy water and Neem oil mixture are some of those. Both are safe to use with flowers and vegetation so that you can use the mixture both indoor and outdoor.
- Killing thrips with soapy water
Mix 250mL water with 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray directly on infested plants and objects. Reapply when washed by rains.
- Killing thrips with Neem oil
Mix water and Neem oil with 3:1 proportion. Spray directly on infested plants or to the areas susceptible to thrip infestation to discourage them.
- Killing thrips with insecticides
Insecticides for grubs, ants, and aphids are applicable for killing thrips. However, this chemical should not be spray excessively to minimize its toxic residue. Indoor application of insecticides should be done with sufficient ventilations.
Thrip control
To minimize thrip infestation, there are some preventive methods which can be performed. The most effective one is by eliminating susceptible places which adult thrips will use for breeding and laying eggs. Hence, prevention methods include:
- Eliminate crop debris in the garden, and get rid of weeds and grass around the garden.
- Scrutinize potted plants’ health before moving them into the house. Make sure there are no white thrips on the leaves and stems which may infest your indoor area.
- Prune tree branches regularly to minimize possible places for adult thrips to lay the eggs.
- Immediately cut off infested leaves and buds which are infested by thrips. You can inspect the infested stems, leaves, and branches by either see the thrips physically or investigate possible damages the pests might cause.
- Do not shear the plants, since sheared plants will attract more thrips, which may cause a larger infestation.
When doing preventive methods or performing treatment methods for getting rid of thrips, make sure you do not exterminate beneficial insects at the same time. In order to ensure this, perform the safest methods which employ more natural substances. Avoid using toxic chemicals, especially when performing treatments for plants and the garden. When using chemicals to get rid of thrips indoor, use it wisely after evacuating house members and open possible ventilations to minimize toxic residue it may leave behind.
