Thrips are a common pest on both outdoor and indoor plants. They cause damage by feeding on plant sap, destroying plant tissues with their chewing mouthparts. These insects thrive in warm conditions, becoming a bigger problem outdoors during summer months.
Because they are tiny and multiply rapidly, thrips can go undetected until a serious infestation is already underway. Thrips symptoms are a lot like those of other pests and even some diseases, so it’s important to figure out where the problem is coming from before you treat plants that have it.
There are more than 6,000 species of thrips, many of which are harmful to plants. Many species like to feed on certain plants, so they are named after those plants, like onion thrips, pea thrips, gladiolus thrips, or rose thrips.
What do thrips look like? Thrips are soft-bodied, cigar-shaped insects, reaching just 1/25-inch long. They are brown, black, or yellow; some with colored markings. They have narrow, fringed wings, but are poor fliers. Nymphs look similar to adults, but are smaller and wingless.
Finding thrips on your indoor houseplants can be incredibly frustrating, These tiny pests can quickly damage and stunt plant growth if left unchecked,
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover proven methods for treating thrips on houseplants of all types You’ll learn how to identify thrips, prevent future infestations, and control current populations using both chemical and non-chemical strategies
What Are Thrips?
Thrips are minuscule winged insects only about 1/25th of an inch long. They feed by puncturing plant cells and sucking out the contents. This causes white or silver streaks, dots, and patches on leaves, flowers, and stems Heavy thrips damage can cause leaf drop, distorted growth, and wilting.
These pests reproduce rapidly, with females laying hundreds of eggs. Thrips populate outdoor areas, and are easily carried indoors on clothing, tools, and new plant additions. Their small size enables them to sneak into tight plant parts like unopened buds.
Detecting Thrips on Houseplants
Catching thrips early is key to effective control. Here are the signs that thrips may have infested a houseplant:
- White or silver streaks/spots on leaves and flowers
- Drooping, stunted new growth
- Leaf scarring and black dots of excrement
- Yellowing or browning leaves
- Wilting despite adequate water
Take affected plants outside or into the bathtub and gently shake over a white sheet of paper. Thrips will show up as tiny yellow/brown insects crawling on the paper if present.
Check the underside of leaves closely using a magnifying glass where they like to hide. Sticky cards can help monitor for thrips as well.
Preventing Thrips on Houseplants
While thrips can be persistent once established, there are some prevention strategies to avoid infestation in the first place:
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Quarantine new plant arrivals for a few weeks before introducing to existing plants
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Inspect plants closely before bringing home from nurseries and shops
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Control humidity levels and avoid too much moisture on leaves
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Don’t overcrowd plants or overfertilize with nitrogen
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Remove plant debris and prune off damaged growth
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Regularly rinse dust and dirt off plant leaves
Effective Treatment Methods for Thrips
If thrips are detected, take action promptly using proven organic and chemical solutions:
Non-Chemical Options
Keep plants moist – Plants that are too dry are more susceptible to thrips damage.
Insecticidal soap – Available at garden centers, this is non-toxic and effective when applied repeatedly. Spray undersides of leaves and drench soil.
Horticultural oils – These oil sprays coat and smother insects. Apply thoroughly to all plant parts according to label directions.
Beneficial insects – Predatory mites and minute pirate bugs feed on thrips. Release near infested plants or use insecticide sparingly to maintain populations.
Sticky traps – Yellow and blue sticky traps can help monitor and reduce flying adult thrips. Adjust placement as infestations decrease.
Chemical Pesticides
If non-chemical methods prove ineffective, pesticide options include:
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Spinosad – Derived from bacteria, this organic thrips treatment can be used up to day of harvest. Spray plants thoroughly every 5-7 days.
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Insecticidal soap with pyrethrins – The addition of pyrethrins boosts the efficacy of insecticidal soap against thrips.
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Botanical insecticides with azadirachtin – Products containing neem extract or azadirachtin as active ingredients combat thrips. Rotate treatments with other pesticides.
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Synthetic insecticides – These stronger chemicals like pyrethroids should only be used as a last resort if all other options fail.
Always follow label directions exactly for any pesticide, and test on a small area first to ensure plant compatibility.
Ongoing Thrips Management
Getting thrips under control takes persistence. Keep monitoring plants closely and reapply treatments regularly according to label guidelines until all signs of thrips have been eliminated.
To help avoid reinfestation:
- Maintain prevention habits like quarantines and close inspections
- Remove and destroy heavily infested plants if thrips persist
- Apply insecticidal soap weekly after treatment to deter return
- Release predatory mites/insects seasonally as maintenance
Catching thrips early and using integrated pest management practices combining multiple tactics gives the best chance of protecting houseplants. Persistence and thoroughness are vital in eliminating these prolific pests.
IDENTIFY THRIPS DAMAGE ON PLANTS
Thrips damage can show up in many forms, such as leaves or flower petals that are streaked, yellowed, or bleached; buds that are misshapen; and fruit that is crusty or misshapen. Damage is sometimes confused with nutritional or disease problems because symptoms can be similar.
Repel pests with plants:
Plants such as garlic, basil, and oregano can repel thrips. Plant these around more vulnerable plants.
Thrips can do more damage to plants if they have too much fertilizer on them because they like soft new growth.
Gladiolus is particularly susceptible to thrips. Soak bulbs in a mixture of 1 tablespoon of Lysol and 1 gallon of water for several hours. Plant the bulbs while they are still wet. You can also do this to the bulbs in the fall, letting them dry out completely before putting them away for the winter. You can also get rid of thrips by storing bulbs at 35 to 40 degrees F for a few months over the winter, making sure the bulbs don’t freeze.
Get Rid Of Thrips FAST! How To Treat + Prevent Thrips On Plants ❌
How do you get rid of thrips in a houseplant?
For indoor houseplants, spray or wash the plant with a soap and water solution (about 2 teaspoons detergent in a gallon of water), making sure you get the solution on all the leaves and other areas of the plant. Washing plants is one method among several to keep thrips under control. Washing alone usually isn’t sufficient to control thrips.
Do thrips kill plants?
Thrips are tiny, winged insects that do tremendous damage to plants. These common pests feed on the sap and juices of houseplants, garden plants, and greenhouse crops. Thrip infestations can damage plants so much that leaves lose color, and plants eventually die. Thrips are challenging to get rid of.
How to prevent thrips from taking over a plant?
Making use of your vacuum is a smart way to prevent thrips from taking over. The critters are so lightweight that gusts of wind transport them from plant to plant. Therefore, it is relatively easy to remove them with a vacuum cleaner that will suction them into a disposable dust bag.
Which plants ward off thrips?
Some plant varieties are more able to ward off thrips than others. Plants such as garlic, basil, and oregano can repel thrips. Plant these around more vulnerable plants. Too much fertilizer on plants can lead to more thrips damage, as insects are attracted to tender new growth. Gladiolus is particularly susceptible to thrips.