Hi everyone!
My rose bushes and vegetable plants are under attack by tiny, fast-moving insects, I think they’re thrips! Leaves have silvery streaks, and flowers are deformed. I’ve tried spraying soapy water, but they’re still thriving. Help!
Neem oil is a lifesaver! Mix 2 tbsp neem + 1 tsp dish soap in a gallon of water. Spray at dusk to avoid bees. Reapply every 5 days. @GreenThumb2024, test on a leaf first!
Release minute pirate bugs, they devour thrips. Order them online and sprinkle near infested plants. Also, blue sticky traps attract adults. Works like a charm!
Thanks! How long until neem oil shows results? My roses look awful!
Give it 1-2 weeks. Remove badly damaged buds, they’re thrips nurseries.
Garlic spray! Blend 10 garlic cloves + 2 cups water, strain, and spray. Stinky but effective. Thrips hate sulfur compounds!
Grow basil and onions around roses. Thrips avoid strong smells. Also, mulch with reflective silver plastic, confuses their navigation!
Tried soapy water, killed some, but eggs survived. Now using spinosad spray. Killed 90% in 3 days! Safe for bees when dry.
Diatomaceous earth on soil stops larvae. Reapply after rain. Also, spray plants with cold water, thrips hate showers!
Thrips spread viruses. Isolate infested plants asap! For severe cases, prune 30% of foliage and bag trimmings. Never compost them, eggs survive!
New growth looks healthy. Added marigolds as backup. Thanks, everyone!