I discovered a thrip on my alocasia stingray this morning and I'm really worried about it! I've moved the plant to the garage and gave it a good misting with a mix of neem oil, Castile soap, and isopropyl alcohol. I even removed some of the suspicious soil and added systemic houseplant granules. Now I'm unsure about what to do next. Should I wait it out or continue treatment daily? Should I also check my other plants in the room and treat them just in case? I'm a relatively new plant parent and I'm really anxious about losing my rare plants. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
3 Answers
Make sure to physically separate your plants if you can. Check them daily for thrips, especially under the leaves and in new growth. Crushing them when you see them can help disrupt their life cycle! It can take a couple of weeks of vigilance, but you’ve got this!
It sounds like you’re doing all the right things. Keep your treatment going based on the instructions on the product. You probably don’t need to treat daily; just follow the recommended schedule. Also, it's very likely that thrips might be lurking on your other plants, but good news—they don’t infest every plant! I've never lost any plants to thrips, so hang in there. Just keep checking and treating as needed!
I totally get your panic! I've dealt with thrips before and while they can be a hassle, don't freak out too much. The systemic granules you added are a great step. Just know that the alcohol and soap combo might not be enough on its own. I’d recommend also picking up some insecticidal soap, like Captain Jack's, which I’ve found effective. Keep doing what you’re doing and just monitor your plants closely.