\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. There are a variety of thrips species, including a parasitic group that feeds on other thrips. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. These common pests feed on the sap and juices of houseplants, garden plants, and greenhouse crops. After doing everything you say - including using a granular systemic insecticide - (and throwing away plants too), I thought I was through with them. For example, the surface of affected plant parts is silver-specked due to the digestive enzymes and feeding mechanism of thrips that breaks the surface. Avoid using too much nitrogen-based fertilizer, as this can encourage more thrips to infest your garden. Gladiolus thrips (Thrips simplex) Mainly affects gladiolus during July to September, but also on freesia, causing white flecks on foliage and flowers. Having small mouth parts that prick the under-surface of a leaf, they individually suck sap from leaf cells, causing this decolouration and visible damage. The warmer and drier in the room, the more likely the appearance of an insect. They can also damage household plants. Oct 24, 2020 - Finding thrips on houseplants is frustrating! Hi Heidi - Wow, this is the best information I've found about thrips on houseplants. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Thanks - Jud. Some species may deposit minute black fecal spots on leaves. In some ways it’s quite easy to spot if you have thrips living on your plants: The culprits at work on a philodendron Shangri-La -adult thrips (black insects) and … Learn everything you need to know about how to get rid of thrips naturally, and prevent them from coming back. You usually have to significantly dilute neem or you risk damage to your plants. Thrips feed by scraping leaves or flowers with their rasping mouthparts, then sucking the fluid that is released. Spray every 2-3 days for 4 week. These eggs hatch and the larvae secrete special chemicals to the plant around them. You can also find these insects on many flowers, especially roses and gladioli. Thrips will damage both outdoor and indoor plants. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,741 times. Not all of the 6000 species of thrips eat plants – … Not to fret if you have this insect on your house plants. The thrips are not in the soil. [9] Additionally, search for thrips feces, which look like a collection of small, pinhead-sized black dots. Thank you! By the way - I only used the granular systemic insecticide after washing and safer insectical soap repeatedly applied didn't work. My house has many plants I think it will take a long time to remove them. We just need to be wise and look for the problems before they become night-mares. save. 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