Thrip treatment that is safe around cats

[spinrah]

Not sure if anyone cares... but here's an update...

I sprayed down the orchid that I saw the thrips on last night with some 70% isopropyl alcohol. Also spent about 30 mins inspecting every single crevice with a magnifying glass. Found some potential thrip poop, but that's about it.. not a single bug fell off the plant after spraying or appeared to be dead.

BUT, I did find what I think are a couple of egg sacs! They were hidden in a crevice behind one of the orchid flowers. I didn't think they could be orange.. but I guess so? They were glued onto the flower.

[estación seca]

By the way, "thrips" is singular and plural. One thrips, two thrips, red thrips, blue thrips.

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by estación seca

By the way, "thrips" is singular and plural. One thrips, two thrips, red thrips, blue thrips.

Well, at least this experience has been highly educational.

[Dollythehun]

One take away if you're going to get serious about orchid growing, is that it isn't a bad idea to have pesticides fungicides, whatever, on hand. Then when something happens whatever you choose for your arsenal, you have it handy.

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

One take away if you're going to get serious about orchid growing, is that it isn't a bad idea to have pesticides fungicides, whatever, on hand. Then when something happens whatever you choose for your arsenal, you have it handy.

Totally agree! That is definitely one lesson I have learned. I am now building my arsenal.

[SouthPark]

Could try pyrethrum spray to control the numbers. When there are constraints, and number of options are limited, then we can just do what we can.

The neem oil could work too ...... making sure that power from the sunlight doesn't overheat portions of the leaves etc with the oil on it.

I assume the phal won't be getting direct sunlight blazing down on it ------ so that would be ok if that's the case.

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Could try pyrethrum spray to control the numbers. When there are constraints, and number of options are limited, then we can just do what we can.

The neem oil could work too ...... making sure that power from the sunlight doesn't overheat portions of the leaves etc with the oil on it.

I assume the phal won't be getting direct sunlight blazing down on it ------ so that would be ok if that's the case.

Thanks - I have ordered some neem oil from Amazon and I’ll give it a try. Can I spray neem on the flowers?

Nope, no bright sunlight here... just the gloomy rainy skies of the Northwest...

[Roberta]

I don't think I'd spray Neem on the flowers... a sticky residue will be left behind, For flowers, probably stick to alcohol and soapy water.

[spinrah]

Great, thanks Roberta!

[Leafmite]

I am glad you can get pure Neem Oil. It is great stuff. Just follow the instructions for mixing.

I had fruit trees for many years and used pesticides and fungicides every two weeks, all summer long so, now that I no longer have fruit trees, I have been trying the organic approach. I have the Insecticidal soap, Neem Oil, isopropyl alcohol, coffee, and, in a pinch, Olive Oil (if you have a really bad infestation of stuff and nothing works, spray with olive oil and leave on for about six hours...that will smother everything...just a terrible pain to wash off). Every spring, I order lady bugs.