Thrips are tiny, long slim insects that cause leaf twisting and silvering leaves and marking of flowers.
To get rid of thrips:
Most thrips are sensitive to insecticides and are easy to control. Apply cluster sprays (several sprays at close intervals) of SUPER SPECTRUM or SPECTRUM to control adult thrips.
Kiwicare also offer some great natural and BioGro® certified alternatives to deal with insects in your garden. ORGANIC SUPER SPRAYING OIL suffocates adult and kills eggs.
For use on fruit and vegetables we recommend ORGANIC INSECT CONTROL with pyrethrum. Make sure to spray all parts of the plants for most effective treatment.
Thrips are tiny, long slim insects usually black as adults but pale in younger nymphal stages. There are many different species and they can look quite different depending on species and stage of development. They infest and damage the foliage and flowers of many ornamental plants, vegetables & fruit crops. Thrips may also infest bulbs in storage.
With Thrips you get leaf twisting and silvering leaves and flower thrips will cause discolouration and marking of flower petals. They usually feed along the mid-vein area of the leaf. Thrips are likely to be a problem in a warm dry, sheltered environment.
Thrips do not usually bite humans, however they are attracted to the bright colours of flowers and if attarcted to bright clothing have been know to bite people.
Common New Zealand thrip species include: