I try not to use too many chemicals in the garden. But I use Ortho Systemic Insect Killer. It gets the aphids and thrips both. Needs to be sprayed every 6-8 weeks. I was told to spray heavily in the fall after cutting back the daylilies. Thrip like to hide down inside the plant during the winter. This is supposedly when they do the most damage. I haven't tried this yet, but will this fall.
Michelle

Thanks Michelle, I'll give the fall spraying thing a try...darn thrips, and I'm still having a problem with slugs though not as bad. Just look what they did to Starman's Quest first bloom ever for me!

I was wondering too. I have never sprayed, but I think I need to start. Probably too late now? I was noticing them yesterday on some of my daylilies, but not all. I wonder how they know which ones I am particularly anxious to see.
I noticed a few lady bugs too, kinda hate to spray if they are on duty.

I use a spray with Spinosad, which was recommended on this forum last year. It's called Green Light Lawn and Garden Spray. I am spaying buds, scapes and leaves almost daily on plants where I see thrips on buds or where I notice bumps on buds, mostly purples and reds.

In my pots and on a few in-ground plants, I sprayed with Bayer 3-in-1 back in early April. Those plants seem to be thrip and aphid free now. My understanding is the systemics work for 6-8 weeks, and then you have to spray again.

Debra

Debra, I used the Bayer 3 in 1 spray in late March here, but I don't see a significant improvement over last year's infestation. I was under the impression that once the buds form, it's too late to spray then cause the damage has already been done. Read that somewhere, but can't remember where. Are you seeing improvement using the Green Light spray daily?
Jan

Try White Alyssum. A little white plant that attracts a bug that loves to eat thrips............. A Pro says it works!!! A famous grower, I can not remember his name! I'm trying it this year.
Wayne

I got rid of my two daylilies that always looked Thrip damaged. Thats my way of controlling the problem LOL.

Jan - It's best to apply a systemic before the buds form. The Bayer product says it works for 6 weeks. I'm thinking all the rain we've had flushed it out of the soil sooner than that. With that much rain, you probably needed to reapply in 4-5 weeks. As for Spinosad, you can apply it directly to the buds, old flowers, leaves etc. Last year, while my first dark flowers were thrip damaged, subsequent buds that had been sprayed for a few days with Spinosad showed little or no damage. Thrips go for the more mature buds - not the tiny ones. I hope this helps. I stocked up on the Spinosad this year.

Debra

Hey Momma! I don't think that damage is from slugs, looks more like catapillers! You know that I am the expert on slug damage. ;)

Well, look who's here....my daughter Tracy. Glad you decided to join the rest of us daylily "addicts" Tracy. :)
You know, now that I look at it, I think you're right. That does look more like caterpillar damage, and yep, you are the expert on slugs, that's for sure. LOL
Momma aka Jan :)