I've been battling thrips for what feels like forever, and I just can't seem to eliminate them completely. They seem to decrease in number, but then one of them always comes back to annoy me. I've tried everything from repotting, using predatory mites, to cleaning the leaves with soap and neem oil. About a year ago, I experimented with diatomaceous earth too.
While repotting, I would shower my plants to clean them off, but now that some of them have grown large, I can't do that anymore, so I make sure to wipe down the leaves regularly. Honestly, I'm at my wit's end and am even considering throwing them out. Interestingly, my dog seems to be finding them under the door to my balcony—could there be a nest or something there? I always thought thrips were mainly on the leaves. By the way, I'm dealing with the black thrips, but I can't remember their exact name. I truly appreciate any help before I give up entirely!
3 Answers
Thrips actually lay their eggs inside the plant, which is why they keep coming back even after you've repotted or sprayed them. I recommend looking into a systemic pesticide; it might just be the solution you need to get rid of them for good!
I totally understand your frustration! Once I deal with thrips on one plant, it seems like they always spread to another one nearby. I've started to isolate my infected plants to prevent cross-contamination. Staying vigilant is key—check your plants every few days. I would even spray my soap solution while I was sitting on the toilet, just to keep an eye on them, haha. You've done a lot already, and I wish you the best in your battle against those pesky thrips!
Exactly! It’s like I can almost banish them and then they magically appear on another plant, especially on my spider plant with its thin leaves. Thank you so much for the encouragement—it gives me hope!
Just a heads up—thrips don’t actually fly as much as leap from plant to plant, so if you're seeing them zooming around, there might be something else at play. They do move erratically though, so I get how they can be hard to track. Just keep an eye out! I started my houseplant journey about two years ago, and they popped up pretty early on for me too. Good luck!
Yeah, they definitely look like thrips with their long bodies, but it’s good to know they don’t fly well. I’ll keep watching closely as I try to tackle the problem.
Thanks! I haven't tried that approach yet, so I’ll give it a shot and fingers crossed it helps!