As a devoted gardener, I know how disheartening it can be to walk outside and spot those tiny, slender thrips infiltrating your prized African daisies. But don’t lose hope! While thrips can certainly wreak havoc by piercing leaves and petals to feed on plant juices, there are proven methods to banish these bugs and restore the vibrant beauty of your flowers.
Identifying a Thrips Infestation
The first step is learning how to accurately spot the signs of a thrips invasion. Some key indicators include:
- Yellow or brown spots on leaves
- Dry, shriveled flowers
- Distorted growth patterns
- Small black specks (thrips feces)
Upon closer inspection, you may see the slender winged thrips themselves, which are usually 1-2 mm long. Act quickly at the first signs before the infestation escalates.
Effective Organic and Natural Treatments
When dealing with thrips organically persistence and consistency are key. Be diligent about monitoring your plants and repeatedly applying treatments to disrupt the thrips life cycle. Here are some of the best organic methods
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Insecticidal soap – Spray plants thoroughly, especially the undersides of leaves Can help kill thrips on contact.
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Neem oil – Helps deter feeding and egg laying. Combine with a bit of dish soap to help it stick to plants.
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Beneficial insects – Predators like lacewings and ladybugs feast on thrips. Create an environment to attract them to your garden.
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Water spray – Blast plants with a strong stream of water to physically remove thrips Focus on the undersides of leaves.
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Diatomaceous earth – Dust this abrasive powder onto plants. Can shred thrips’ small bodies and dry out larvae in soil.
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Reflective mulch – Silver plastic mulch can confuse thrips with reflected light and prevent infestation.
Smart Cultural Practices for Prevention
While treatments are important for active thrips infestations, you can also be proactive and modify your garden care to deter these pests. Here are some tips:
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Inspect plants frequently to detect thrips early before they multiply.
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Remove and dispose of any severely infested branches or flowers.
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Avoid excess fertilization and overwatering, which creates optimal thrips breeding conditions.
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Use drip irrigation instead of overhead watering to keep foliage dry.
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Space and prune plants to improve airflow and light penetration.
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Rotate African daisy planting locations each year to disrupt pest cycles.
Call In Reinforcements: Professional Pest Control
For severe or persistent thrips infestations, calling professional pest control may be the best solution. Look for a company that uses integrated pest management focused on least-toxic methods. Professionals have access to:
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Special equipment like industrial-strength sprayers to reach thrips on all plant parts
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Precision application for optimal coverage without waste or overuse
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Advanced treatment options like growth regulator insecticides that disrupt thrips’ life stages
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Customized solutions tailored to target the specific pest issue
Though hiring pros adds cost, it can be worth it to save your precious flowers from devastation. Just be sure to vet companies thoroughly for proper licensing, training and use of eco-friendly products.
Be Dedicated In Your Thrips Battle
I hope these comprehensive tips arm you with confidence to take back control from the thrips invading your African daisies. Remain undaunted, be relentless in vigilance, and don’t stop treatment until every last thrip is banished from your garden.
While eliminating thrips takes time, persistence, and a multi-pronged approach, the reward of seeing your healthy, thriving African daisies flourishing again is priceless. I believe in you, fellow gardener! With consistent organic care and targeted solutions, you can defend your flowers against these damaging pests.
Now get out there and nurture your African daisies back to their full glory, free of those pesky thrips. And please share any other successful anti-thrip tactics in the comments. Together, we can overcome these invasive bugs and enjoy the vibrant blossoms we’ve worked so hard to grow. Happy gardening!
Plants are wilting due to lack of water
My indoor plants are drooping and the one in the lower part of the picture turned yellow as well. I water them sparingly every few days with a water test gauge and they are placed in a corridor with no direct sunlight. The soil is normally damp. I also spray the leaves and use fertiliser. What is wrong?
Christopher Yap
The plant with dark green leaves is the peace lily (Spathiphyllum) and the one with spade-shaped leaves is the Angel Wing (Phyllotaenium lindenii).
Their wilted appearance is a clear indication that both plants lack water.
When you water, make sure you have added enough for excess liquid to drain out from the holes at the base of the pot.
Water again after a few days when the soil dries out slightly, but do not let it dry out completely, as this will damage the roots and the plants’ ability to take up water.
Check the health of the roots. If you are growing these plants in deep shade, moisture in the growing mix may still persist below the surface. Roots may have rotted as a result, and plants will wilt as they cannot take up water.
If root rot has occurred, trim away damaged roots and repot the plants in fresh soil. Put a clear plastic bag over them to limit the loss of moisture.
These foliage plants need a location with four to six hours of filtered sunlight and they should not be left in deep shade for prolonged periods, as the lack of light will weaken them.
Check for broad mites or thrips
My African daisy’s petals are sparse. How do I make the flower grow more petals?
Anne Yip
This plant may be damaged by pests such as broad mites and thrips when the buds are developing. Both pests feed on tender plant tissue and are quite small, which make them difficult to spot with the naked eye.
The presence of broad mites, which are microscopic, is indicated by shiny leaf undersides. Such leaves may also feel stiff and brittle. Thrips, on the other hand, are larger and cause streaks to appear on the florets of the African daisy.
Both pests can be difficult to manage. First, remove damaged flowers. Then spray the plant regularly and thoroughly with abamectin, which is available for sale in local nurseries. Rotate the pesticide with summer oil, as the different modes of action will reduce reliance on a pesticide, which can in turn lead to pests developing a resistance to it.
Get Rid Of Thrips FAST! How To Treat + Prevent Thrips On Plants ❌
FAQ
How do you kill flower thrips?
What do thrips look like on African violets?
How do you make thrips go away?
What is the best spray for thrips?
How do you get rid of thrips on plants?
Sometimes, the simplest control method is the most effective. A forceful spray of water can wash the thrips off your plants. While this may not reach the deep crevices inside flower buds, it can help diminish the thrips population on leaves and stems. For indoor plants, you can place them outdoors or in the shower to spray them off.
Are thrips destroying your plants?
While they suck away the nutritious sap, they spread disease and harm your plants. Because of their microscopic size, thrips go undetected until the damage appears. We’ll show you what to look for and give you methods to keep thrips from destroying your plants.
What plants have thrips?
Indoors, thrips generally prefer plants with broad thin leaves. Some of the species most likely to be affected are palm, dracaena, dieffenbachia, peace lily, and ZZ plant. Outdoors, thrips are a common problem for many fruit and vegetable crops, including asparagus, cabbage, lettuce, onions, and peas.
How do you get rid of black thrips on a fig tree?
Follow the package directions. Spray the plants twice, three days apart, and the thrips should disappear. For fruit trees: Spray dormant oil on the trees. As a last resort, dust the undersides of leaves with diatomaceous earth. Black thrips and thrip damage on a fig tree.