I have 100+ plants, mostly outside on a screened in patio in south Florida. Between that many plants and finding enough shade protection from the FL summer sun there aren't too many available places to isolate plants the plants with pests so I have already thrown away maybe 25 plants where I saw actual thrips or dbb caused some root rot (begonias!). This summer has been my first real outbreak of pests. When I first realized there was a thrips issue, I found damage on a couple plants on the southwest side, one in the middle of the south wall and two on the southeast side. So basically they were in every section of the patio. I started immediately with the Captain Jacks dead bug brew (dbb) and at a plants next watering I applied the bonide systemic granules. I've sprayed dbb 4 weeks, and am just starting the 5th week. Yesterday and today I found more thrips on leaves so clearly what I'm doing is not working.
I've been reading about beneficial bugs and I know I can't use them right now since I've applied the systemic granules, but I want to be prepared for when the 2 months of effectiveness is up. Not sure if I should repeat the granules and continue spraying the dbb or switch to beneficial bugs. One big concern I would have about the beneficial bugs is would they be so small that they would be able to escape thru the screening of the patio? Is there a larger type that would not be able to escape? Or would they be so happy with their food source within the patio that they wouldn't even try to fly away? What beneficials would you recommend that can survive the FL heat? I understand I would need something different for the adult stage and the larvae stage. How much more expensive would beneficials be compared to DBB and systemic granules (of which I had to buy ALOT for that many plants already)?
Other information to note:
-The screened in patio is large, approx 30 ft x 80 ft, with an additional area approx 15 ft x 15 ft that is covered. The covered area doesn't get enough sun so there is only one plant in that area (and a few propagations). The south side along the house exterior wall is the only part of the uncovered area where some shade protection is available, depending on the time of the day. Would you determine how many beneficials to buy based on square footage (where there is a lot of area with no plants) or based on the number of plants?
-I'm using the dbb concentrate and mixing with water in a 56 oz pump sprayer. I used alexa to calculate the amount of dbb for 56 oz based off the amount of dbb for a gallon, which came to 1.75 TBS (so I fill it to just shy of the 2 TBS line in the provided measuring cup). Same for the systemic, if I have a pot size that isn't listed, I used alexa to calculate the ratio for that pot size based on other pot sizes listed. I always err on for a little more vs a little less.
-Some plants are just so full that it’s impossible to spray each individual leaf, so as best I can I lift a stem up to spray the leaves on the back. But sometimes I just have to turn the pump sprayer to more a stream than a mist and stick the sprayer in the middle of the leaves, trying to hit the back of the leaves from behind. For smaller pots I hold a pot up and turn sideways to get the back side of the leaves sprayed.
-I use an app to track watering schedule, I also use moisture detection sticks and lift the smaller plants to determine when to water next
Including video of the patio area with plants for an understanding of setup. I would appreciate any guidance/feedback on next steps to take to help me win this thrips war.
by klstockett
8 Comments
I’m in Central Florida, all of my plants are also on my lanai. I battled thrips and spider mites every year until I started using systemic granules. I swear they are a lifesaver, and I won’t ever go another season without using them.
Omg I can’t imagine… I’m ne FL and got just as many plants. I use a mix of Castile mint soap, cinnamon, and clove oil with rubbing alcohol. I’m not sure offhand of the mixture ratio but I’ve never dealt with thrips either. Keep us posted on what works best, I’d like to know just in case.
Look for pesticides that won’t hurt beneficials. I’m not sure what’s available in your state but they exist.
Thrips (and spider mites) dislike consistently humid conditions on the plants themselves. I spray the under side of leaves with a good strong spray from a bottle. Also checking new plants is a must.
Oberon, minx2, and floramite miticides have helped me greatly- but they’re pretty hardcore chemicals :S
I’m asking this to help, are you sure they are thrips? You could potentially be treating the wrong thing and that’s why it’s not working.
Edit: I just slo-mo’d through your video and most things look great for a thrips investation, though I can’t see them up close
Here’s what I do in my tropical greenhouse:
First, I keep predatory mites living on all my plants at all times. This prevents most pest attacks, and weakens any that make it through.
If thrips do get established, I will spray all my plants once with a contact insecticide (both sides of all leaves) and then 3-5 days later, I will release Anystis baccarum mites and Neoseiulus cucumeris mites.
If you can’t afford A, baccarum, you can probably get away with just N cucumeris.
Cucumeris mites specialize in killing thrips. They seek out places where thrips eggs are laid inside the plant tissue and wait to ambush newborn thrips as they emerge.
Anystis mites will just kill and devour anything smaller than an aphid. And they are FAST so there’s no worry about them not spreading out from the point of release.
Anyway, this has worked for me every time. Feel free to message me if you have questions
I use Safers End All.
You spray it on the plant. The plant absorbs it and anything that tries to drink its fluids ends up poisoned and dies. Works great for thrips.