Not Exactly a Banner Day

[nemesis]

Hi Y'all, I have perused the orchid board looking for the answer to this question, but alas, I am at a loss. The days are getting warmer, and I woke up to thrips a couple of days ago. My first go to was a DIY solution of Dawn, paraffin oil, and mineral oil. It did nothing to thwart the boogers. Then I bought some stuff at the Wal Mart called Maggie's Farm 3 in one organic garden spray for Pests...a miticide, Thrips, and disease control. Thrips were again buzzing around like no body's business this morning. My question is this: I know typically you spray once, then treat again in a couple of weeks (on a monthly schedule), but since the treatment yielded bupkis, do I spray again right away? Do I try something stronger and if so, what? I also lost my favorite orchid today, a blooming size Angraecum veitche. I am devastated. this is my first loss. I feel guilty and terrible and.... sorry this has been post has been so long, but a Southerner can never tell a short story. Kelly

[Dimples]

Thrips are a pain in the butt. The eggs are laid INTO the plant tissue, juvenile stages tend to hide, and the adults can fly (sort of, badly, more like jumping with style?), so I've often found them hanging out on walls or objects near my plants.

Last time I noticed some on my indoor houseplants I used a neem oil spray and sprayed at least once a week for many weeks beyond the last time I saw one.

I have also been known to go after indoor pests with a handheld vacuum.

[Roberta]

Never mind "organic"...go for something toxic. I don't know what they sell for Texas thrips, but whatever it is, use it (My California thrips are teensy, trash flowers but don't typically kill plants so I can't advise.)

[nemesis]

Thank You Roberta. Something toxic like Malathion?

---------- Post added at 07:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:58 PM ----------

Thank You. I will try vacuuming.

[Clawhammer]

I recommend pyrethrins

Spray every three days for 8 treatments. Switch out with Neem oil (or other pesticide) on treatment 3 and 7

[Roberta]

Or whatever your nursery gurus recommend . Malathion smells bad, not particularly toxic to humans, if it works sure. I would ask someone in the nursery business, though... a person with local knowledge - who also knows what might be needed to deal with resistance. Malathion has been around long enough that it may not be as effective as some other things. Totally outside my expertise...I'm glad that I don't have to deal with Texas bugs!

[Dimples]

Pyrethrin would work but it is only a contact insecticide. It has to make contact with the pest to kill them.

Once it dries it is no longer effective and it is deactivated/broken down rapidly by sunlight, so if you are going to use it spray it after the sun has sunk below the horizon, preferably on a windless day to slow drying.

Don't spray it inside your home and I'd wait to bring plants back inside until after it dries. If you grow in a greenhouse spray after the sun has gone down and follow the reentry info on the label.

[nemesis]

Great Idea. I have flower spikes on some very sentimental orchids, right now, and I don't want to see them chewed up from stupid thrips.

---------- Post added at 08:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:43 PM ----------

Awesome!!!!, Claw

---------- Post added at 08:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:44 PM ----------

Happy thought, dimples

---------- Post added at 08:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:46 PM ----------

Thanks, Roberta!

[estación seca]

Motes has recommended using an aerosol insecticide just on spikes of Vandas at weekly intervals. Other Texans here have said you have thrips outside in your environment so you won't be able to eliminate them.

[nemesis]

Well ES, that is not good news. East Texas, is indeed Bug Heaven! I guess the only things going to bed happy tonight are thrips.