Can lacewings handle thrips effectively, or do I need something else? What do experienced greenhouse growers actually do long term in a setup like this?

Any practical advice is appreciated.

I have a Tower Garden inside my hobby greenhouse in Zone 3, heated year-round. Temps swing from 50 to 90 degrees in winter and humidity fluctuates with that. I grow everything in here. Wheatgrass, houseplants, shoreline restoration natives, flowers from seed, and winter food for my family.

So far I’ve controlled spider mites with predatory mites, aphids with lacewing larvae, eliminated fungus gnats, and gotten mealybugs under control.

But thrips are new and they are destroying my lettuce in the tower. Dozens of plants gone. They are leaving kale, chard, herbs, and everything else alone for now.

My plan is to pull all the lettuce and release more lacewing larvae, maybe add something more specific for thrips. But what is the long-term solution?

I monitor constantly and release beneficials as needed, but fighting one pest after another has honestly been the most defeating part of having a greenhouse. I have no commercial experience. I am learning as I go.

by Federal_Mine818

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