Thrips on 'New Dawn' Climber: Low Threat, High Nuisance—Control Options

Blake: Small garden, 'New Dawn' climber blooming. Yellow-speckled blooms, leaf holes. Skinny bugs in blooms = thrips. Insecticidal soap failed. Tomatoes nearby. Wants cheap, easy, Home Depot/Lowe's solution.

Thrips Reality

Thrips = cosmetic damage (speckled petals). Rarely kill plant. If not cutting for arrangements, tolerate.

Cheap Controls

1. Hose blast – knock off daily.
2. Ortho Rose & Flower Insecticide (Home Depot/Lowe's) – broad spectrum, works.
3. Prevent next year: Dormant oil (Volck) in late winter smothers eggs.

Nematodes? Not for Thrips.

Beneficial nematodes target soil larvae (grubs, weevils). Thrips pupate in soil but nematodes inconsistent.

Tomatoes Safe

Ortho products labeled for roses/flowers/veggies. Read label.