The Coming Thrips Invasion

last year

Any suggestions for preparing in advance to prevent thrips this spring? I don't want to wait until they show up and find myself behind looking for an answer.

I've got about 3 light colored roses whose spring flushes has been destroyed for the past several years. Natural and organic measures--including spinosad--have not been successful. I'm not excited about potentially killing good bugs, but some spot treatment only on the affected bushes is now on the table.

I have zero idea as to what products are out there that are effective or how to use them. Suggestions? I'm in the MidSouth--officially zone 7a but in reality zone 6b--if that makes a differnce. We are just 2-3 weeks from pruning.

Featured Answer

elenazone6

last year

I am in love with blue sticky traps! The yellow ones attract almost every insect except rose midges, while the blue ones are the favorite for midges and thrips. They should be placed at the bottom of the bush.

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Comments (8)

elenazone6
last year
I am planning to use dormant oil soon and Spinosad with blue sticks later.
subk3 thanked elenazone6
Diane Brakefield
last year
Spinosad never worked for me. But eventually, the thrips declined to infecting maybe three roses, so I don't do anything and haven't for years. Oh, some dark roses appeal to thrips. The Prince is lightly affected in spring. Diane
subk3 thanked Diane Brakefield
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subk3
Original Author
last year
Spinasad has not worked. I'm not sure what "blue sticks" are but colored cups were next to worthless. I may try the dormant oil I think I have another week that I can use it...

I've been holding out now for 4 years and it just gets worse every year. Unfortunately these are not roses tucked into the back of the garden, but are in the most prominent sites I have.
elenazone6
last year
last modified: last year
Blue Sticky Traps: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CCGY2RWP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

From my experience they are working best for thrips and rose midges, at least for me.
Echo_Texas_zone9a
last year
I’m very curious as well what everyone says. I used Spinosad last autumn, and it did help, but only temporarily. I plan on using dormant oil, but the temperatures have been a roller coaster of either too hot, too cold, very windy or rainy. Next week looks promising though.
rosecanadian
last year
I don't have any good ideas...but you have my sympathy. Dratted insects.
BenT (NorCal 9B Sunset 14)
last year
Spinosad always worked pretty well for me by spraying on new buds and new growth, sprayed several days apart to disrupt their breeding cycle. Those blue cup and yellow sticky papers were worthless…they catch like 5 thrips while the other 5 billion remain free to feast.