Thrips - Houseplants Pests and how to Control them

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Thrips

Thrips are tiny black insects which fly or jump from leaf to leaf, causing tell-tale silvery streaks. The worst damage is on flowers which become spotted and distorted. They also cause stunted growth. They are common in Begonia, Codiaeum and Fuchsia.

Control:

• Take the houseplant outside or to a sink and wash them off with a high pressure stream of water. If the houseplant has delicate foliage, turn the plant upside down and dip the foliage in a bucket of water to wash the pests off. Repeat as necessary.
• A light infestation can be dealt with by by wiping them off with a cotton bud dabbed in a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol followed by thorough spraying of the plant with the solution. Repeat as necessary.
• Thoroughly spray the houseplant with a systemic Pyrethrin-based insecticide at the first sign of infestation and repeat as necessary as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

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