Key Takeaways
- Isolate affected plants immediately to prevent pests from spreading.
- Identify the pest correctly before choosing a treatment method.
- Repeat treatments every 5–7 days for at least 3 cycles to break the egg cycle.
Thrips are tiny, slender insects that puncture plant cells and suck out the contents. They are very hard to see.
Identification
- The Damage: Silvery or bronze streaks on leaves.
- The Frass: Tiny black dots (poop) on the leaves.
- The Bug: Rice-shaped, yellow or black, very fast.
The Treatment Plan
1. Blue Sticky Traps
Thrips are attracted to the color blue (unlike gnats, which like yellow). Use blue traps to catch flying adults.
2. Spinosad (Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew)
This is the gold standard for Thrips. It is a biological insecticide that is very effective. Spray thoroughly.
3. Systemic Granules
If you don’t have pets/kids who eat dirt, systemic granules added to the soil will poison the plant sap, killing thrips when they feed.
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