I also got thrips infestations with my gladiolus last year. It was terrible - all the flower stalks were severely damaged. Will these thrips attack my roses too? I am glad that you started this thread, campv. Thanks.

If they are bad you can spray for them. I also purchase the blue sticky traps to attract them. This not only traps bugs without spraying but I check the traps often and I can often see a problem on the traps before I catch them on the plants. The earlier I notice the population the smaller it is and the easier it is to take care of through other methods.
Sunni

Rosehog---Blue sticky traps? -can you provide more info about the product.
What kind of spray other than systemic?
"it is to take care of through other methods" -What might those be?
Thanks for the info

I heard of making your own traps but haven't tried it. You take blue plastic cups, coat the inside with STP automotive stuff, and invert the cup on a stake in your garden. I don't know why blue is recommended for the cup color, when thrips seem drawn to light colored roses. It might be worth experimenting with other substances to trap thrips such as perfumed hand cream or vaseline . Might be worth trying it with any old container also, or a pastel one. I would not do that where kids or animals might eat the stuff.
I heard of a fruit fly trap for indoors, wherein you use a container with lid and punch a small hole in it. Put wine or vinegar inside. The flies get in but drown and/or can't readily get out. That might also work with other bugs if you knew what attracted them. I think some people put a small funnel or make a funnel to insert into the hole on the lidded trap.

Erasmus -If you think about it, all those colored plastic cups are white on the inside. "When thrips seem drawn to light colored roses" actually thrips like anything light colored.
Here my list Daffodils, Iris, plum tree blooms, pear blooms, privets and of course light colored roses.
I can deal with them on the above except for the roses which they just destroy the blooms.