Thrip treatment that is safe around cats

[Subrosa]

Imidacloprid is well tolerated by cats, and is the active ingredient in several topical anti-flea medications. Not sure if you can get it in Canada.

[thefish1337]

Spinosad is a really good option, its produced by bacteria and is very safe. I brought in a bunch of dahlias from my garden that turned out to be holding an army of thrips. I put all my plants in the bathtub and filled up a watering can with the recommended dose. 3 treatments 5 days apart and they were gone.

[Dollythehun]

It's certified OMRI here in the states.

[spinrah]

I have another question - is it possible that the infestation is very small? I killed two thrips yesterday and I have been looking intently at the plant ever since (blowing on its petals and whatnot) and I don’t see anything else. Could I possibly have stopped the infestation before it spread (hopefully?) or is it likely there are some eggs waiting for me somewhere? Do they typically spend time in the pot or lay eggs there?

[Dollythehun]

Research them. Lots of things don't work in them. Yes, you should assume you have eggs/infestation. My research indicated that systemics weren't terribly effective and the conflicting thought was that they didn't reach the flowers in sufficient quantity. However, you can have foliage thrips too. Azamax kills adults and is a growth regulator.

While you're researching, they're multiplying. Nothing, including soap and alcohol, is completely safe.

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Research them. Lots of things don't work in them. Yes, you should assume you have eggs/infestation. My research indicated that systemics weren't terribly effective and the conflicting thought was that they didn't reach the flowers in sufficient quantity. However, you can have foliage thrips too. Azamax kills adults and is a growth regulator.

While you're researching, they're multiplying. Nothing, including soap and alcohol, is completely safe.

I have been researching them nonstop since last night.
I guess I am being a little more hopeful than I should be. But, it also seems that my options at this point are very limited due to the fact that I'm in Canada where most of the mentioned products are highly regulated and also not being able to take the orchids outside to treat with something stronger.

Originally Posted by Keysguy

I use Orthene for thrips but not sure I'd do that in the house. It works great but man does it STINK!

I read about Orthene too. Maybe if the problem doesn't go away by Spring I'll take them outside and try it... that is, if I can even find Orthene in Canada.

Thanks again, folks!

[Keysguy]

I use Orthene for thrips but not sure I'd do that in the house. It works great but man does it STINK!

[Roberta]

I have bought stuff from domyownpestcontrol.com that supposedly was not legal in California but they shipped anyway. (Same for Amazon...)I don't know if they're fussier about international shipments. If you can't find imidacloprid listed as such, there are some lawn treatments under brand names Merit or Marathon that you might be able to get, that contain it.

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I have bought stuff from domyownpestcontrol.com that supposedly was not legal in California but they shipped anyway. (Same for Amazon...)I don't know if they're fussier about international shipments. If you can't find imidacloprid listed as such, there are some lawn treatments under brand names Merit or Marathon that you might be able to get, that contain it.

Thanks! I'll have a look.

It's always a risk because Canadian customs can catch it and discard it. I was reading on another forum about Canadians trying to import Spinosad products and some were unsuccessful (never received the product, likely discarded at customs), while others happened to be able to receive it.

I have also noticed that many products on amazon.com that are available to US customers will appear as "currently unavailable" to me.

There's also the cost of shipping and all that - when you factor it in, it can become quite the headache. But, if the treatments I have at hand don't work then I won't rule out trying to purchase something online.

Edit: That website only ships within the US ... I used to be able to ship stuff to my post box across the border and pick it up.. but that's no longer an option in the age of Covid...thanks anyway.

[spinrah]

Apparently I was totally confused earlier when I said neem oil isn't sold in Canada. It just can't be marketed as a pesticide. But, I can definitely get some pure neem oil.