thrips

LITTLE BUGGER

Thrips may be tiny, but they’re mighty sneaky! These slender, winged pests feed by piercing your plant’s leaves and slurping up the juices like little vampires.

They leave behind a trail of silvery streaks, black specks known as frass, and can make your plant’s leaves look faded or distorted.

If you notice your plants looking a bit drained or spot a tiny, slender bug zipping around, you’re probably dealing with thrips!

Removal Methods

Thrips are incredibly small and can often go undetected! Buds, blooms, and new leaf growth are often thrip magnets since they are packed with juicy plant cells to feast on.

Select one method and give it a little time. If the bugs are still hanging around, try another. Patience is key!

    • Take the plant to a sink, shower, or outside.

    • Use a firm spray of water to knock off thrips, larvae and eggs.

    • Repeat every few days in combination with another method.

  • If a pest infestation gets out of control, sometimes you have to literally cut your losses.

    • Carefully trim away heavily infested leaves or stems.

    • Bag up the clippings and dispose in the trash - do NOT compost!

    • Follow up with another removal method to target any stragglers.

  • Please read our Heads Up! on horticultural oil before using this method.

    • Use a ready-to-spray horticultural oil or mix a concentrate with water (per label instructions).

    • Pour into a spray bottle and shake well.

    • Spray entire plant, focusing on new growth where the thrips like to feed.

    • Continue to spray every few days until thrips are gone.

  • Always spot test first before full commitment! Avoid spraying in direct sunlight to prevent leaf burn.

    • Use a ready-to-spray insecticidal soap or mix a concentrate with water (per label instructions).

    • Spray the entire plant, focusing on heavily infested areas. The soap must make direct contact with the thrips to work!

    • Repeat every few days until the thrips are gone.