Thrips are tiny insects that can do a lot of damage to your plants. They feed on plant sap and leave behind white patches. These pests affect the quality and yield of your crops, causing poor growth, distorted leaves and even spreading diseases. This article will walk you through step-by-step methods for getting rid of thrips and preventing them from returning in the future.
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What are thrips?
Thrips are very tiny pests that can be yellow, brown or black in colour. They have long, slender bodies and wings. Thrips reproduce quickly, so it is important to control the infestations as soon as you spot them.
They are present in plants. To check if your plants are infested by thrips, look for signs such as silvery speckling on leaves, white spots and discoloured stems, petals and leaves. If the growth of plants is distorted, it could also be a sign of thrips infestation. Thrips are most active during the warmer months.
A step-by-step guide to get rid of thrips
Remove the infested plants
It is best to remove the plants that are infested by thrips from your garden. This will prevent these pests from spreading to other plants. Dispose of the infested plant in a sealed bag. Thrips are often hiding in closed spaces, such as buds or folds of leaves. For lightly damaged plants, prune and destroy the infested parts. Wash your plants with strong water pressure to remove the thrips.
Use sticky traps
Set up yellow or blue sticky traps around your garden to attract and catch thrips. Thrips are drawn to these colours, so they are captured when they come into contact with the sticky surface. Regularly check the traps and discard them as soon as they are filled.
Introduce predators
Introduce predatory insects like ladybugs, lacewings and predatory mites in your garden. These insects feed on thrips.
Insecticidal soap
Insecticidal soap is an effective and environmentally-friendly method to control thrips. Apply insecticidal soap to infested plants. Make sure all the parts of the plant are covered by the soap. Insecticidal soap kills thrips by dissolving their outer layer, causing them to dehydrate and die. Follow the instructions on the product’s label. Repeat this process once a week until there are no more thrips visible.
Use neem oil
Neem oil is another best insecticide for thrips and is completely natural. Mix neem oil with water and spray it directly onto the plants.
How to prevent thrips from coming back?
- Regularly water your plants and prune the leaves and stems to ensure healthy growth.
- Remove weeds from your garden, as thrips often reside on weeds.
- Avoid over-fertilising your plants.
- Inspect your plants regularly for signs of thrips or damage and take action as soon as you find any.
FAQs
What are thrips?
Thrips are tiny insects that feed on plants by sucking and damaging the plant juices.
Where are thrips commonly found?
Thrips are often found on the leaves, flowers, fruits and stems of the plants.
How do thrips get into plants?
Thrips can be carried by wind, or they can crawl or fly to nearby plants.
How do I know if my garden is infested by thrips?
Thrips infestation can be identified by the silver streaks on leaves, discoloured leaves, and white spots on plant surfaces.
Can thrips also infest indoor plants?
Yes, your indoor plants can be infested by thrips as well. These pests can enter your home through open windows or through newly bought plants.
Do thrips cause any harm to plants?
Yes, thrips can transmit viruses and hinder the growth of your plants.
Should I seek professional help for thrips infestation?
If the thrips infestation is severe and no methods are working, it is best to seek professional help from a pest control expert.
Are sticky traps helpful in getting rid of thrips?
Sticky traps capture the thrips due to their sticky surface. Place these traps near the plants and see their magic.
How do I attract the insects to control thrips?
Planting flowers like marigolds or herbs like parsley and dill can attract beneficial insects that prey on thrips, helping keep their population in check.
Are thrips a threat to human health?
Thrips are generally not harmful to humans but can cause inconvenience and aesthetic damage to plants.
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