Thrips on plants in your garden or indoors can cause a lot of damage.
Here’s how to stop these pests with simple organic techniques.
fcafotodigital / Getty Images
Thrips on plants can spell trouble for gardens, houseplant collections, and greenhouses.
Credit:fcafotodigital / Getty Images
What Are Thrips?
Also known as thunder flies, thrips are tiny, sap-sucking insects in theThysanopteraorder.
There are thousands of thrip species, and many types benefit gardens by pollinating plants or preying on pests.
However, some thrips, including rose thrips, onion thrips, and western flower thrips, damage plants.
They can weaken vegetables and flowers and evenspread plant diseases.
What Do Thrips Look Like?
However, some thrips are generalists that are equally attracted to vegetables, ornamentals, herbs, and houseplants.
Thrip damage is often confused with aphid issues and plant nutrient deficiencies.
Stay on Top of Weeds
Thrips use certain weeds as host plants for their eggs.
Keep weedy areas of your yard cut back to deprive them of a place to call home.
Clean Up Your Garden
Keep plant diseases and pests from spreading by cleaning up and destroying infested plant material.
Growing these plant companions near crops that thrips feed on can keep your garden naturally pest-free.
Choose Resistant Plants
Growing plants that are naturally less appealing to thrips can make your garden easier to keep.
Use Reflective Mulches
Reflective mulches applied around your garden help conceal plants from thrips and other pests.
For a budget-friendly alternative, place sheets of aluminum foil beneath your plants to foil thrips.
When problems arise, dont stress or reach for synthetic pesticides.
Instead of using pesticides:
