Hi Michelle,
The UltraFine Oil won't have much effect on thrips. There is a new organic control called spinosad you might try. See article in link. I have not used it yet but I have heard several people recommend it.
Ed

Here is a link that might be useful: Spinosad Pesticide

You could try a systemic pesticide, it only kills things that feed on your plants. I don't think the ladybugs, or spiders will be chewing on your plants. Just eating the pests that ARE chewing on your plants. I was thinking about trying it myself. I had a bad case of thrips last year. If you walked out of my house with a brightly colored shirt on they would swarm you and make you all itchy and stuff. YUCK! Ive had a zillion baby praying mantises in my garden this spring, so mabey I won't need it, at least I hope not. Good luck, thrips are nasty! -Jessica

From The Dirt Doctor's site:

Natural control: Bigeyed bugs are the most important natural control, along with minute pirate bugs, lacewings, and lady beetles. Heavy rainfall also helps. Nematodes applied in water drenches will control species that pupate in the soil.

Organic control: Spray with plant oil or neem products when necessary or release predatory mites or pirate bugs. Garlic tea and seaweed sprays are very effective. Cover plants with row cover material.

Insight: Will bite humans. Bite is similar to chigger bite and may cause a rash. Thrips do have one good point. Some species will eat spider mites.

Another thing he suggests:

The problem could be thrips. Drench the soil with Garrett Juice and garlic tea. (To obtain a recipe, see the Resources box.) Next year, apply beneficial nematodes to the soil at the time of leaf emergence. For now, you might try this mixture as a plant spray: Soak 1 cup of whole ground cornmeal or horticultural cornmeal in a gallon of water, strain out the solids with nylon hosiery and add 2 ounces of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of lemon Joy dishwashing soap.

Stephanie

Here is a link that might be useful: The Dirt Doctor

Thanks everyone... I have a ton of lady beetles out there fighting the war, along with baby katydids (big eyed monsters). They just aren't winning. I was wondering what caused a little irrition on my arm yesterday after I was spraying... ultra fine oil causes no reaction, so I bet it was those little devils.

I have and do add nematodes, but thre are so many different kinds... I got some specific (don't remember the name of them) for fire ants last year. Wonder if that is why the were not bad...

I was going to look for that spinosid today...

Ed, what do you think of a cornmeal spray? I know you have used it on the soil for a bacterial control...

I think cornmeal spray would have mild fungicide properties. Might cure some black spot mildew if you have some on your roses. Low level fertilizer as well.

Since thrips mainly cause damage internally, the normal route to control them is with a systemic insecticide. Bayer and Spectracide both make systemic insecticides that work well and are only toxic to bugs that eat or suck the plant's juices. The only concern I have with them is my earth worm population.

Search for spinosad on Amazon.com, among other places. I don't know if Texas A&M invented the stuff, but they are recommending it.
Ed

I found some spinosad today at a local place. Only problem is that it says it will kill bees if they get it on them. Soooo, I guess I will spray at night while they are sleeping and give the stuff enough time to dry. Definately don't want to kill the bees. Cute, fuzzy buggers. Don't want to kill any earthworms either. I LOVE my worms. I get so excited when I find them. Neighbors think I am nuts.

Thanks!!

I thought I was the only one that giggled when I find worms in my soil. I've worked mighty hard to get my soil to become tempting to worms and it's finally beginning to work in some spots.

We gardeners are a strange lot!

Blessings to all, Mona

Oh, sorry Ed, fungus, not bacteria... dur.

Mona, after it rains, I make sure all the washed away worms I find on the patios, walkways, and driveway get back to dirt. Most of my neighbors would never even touch dirt, much less a WORM! So, I really do get the odd ball out award on my street.

We use neems oil with a squirt of dish soap, but you will not get overnight results. If you want overnight results then use the spinosad. Barbra,

For thrips: I bag up the first few blooms and discard. Yellow flowers attract the most I found. That was effective last year for me.