Effective Thrips Control on Roses: Systemic Solutions

Battling a Thrips Infestation

A gardener with 25 roses across half an acre is desperate—every plant is covered in thrips, and Bayer 3-in-1 and insect killer products aren't working.

Why Contact Sprays Fail

Thrips feed at the base of rose buds and move to petals. Their tiny size lets them hide where sprays can't reach. The solution? Systemic insecticides that enter the plant's sap—when thrips feed, they're poisoned regardless of how well they hide.

Action Plan

• Remove and discard all infested blooms (thrips reproduce in damaged flowers)
• Apply systemic spray when buds are forming—Ortho's Orthene is particularly effective for thrips
• Spray thoroughly around the base of each bush where thrips pupate in soil
• Consider an immediate Orthene application if buds are already forming

Systemic treatment is the only reliable way to control these elusive pests.