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Thrips: tiny insects, scarred leaves, big virus risk
Silvery scarring, distorted leaves and slivers that flit up when you disturb the plant? Thrips. Small, sneaky, and worth taking seriously because they spread viruses.
Thrips are tiny winged insects that rasp and suck at leaves, leaving silvery scarring and distorted, puckered growth. The real reason to take them seriously isn’t the scarring — it’s that thrips transmit plant viruses as they feed. Chillies, onions, strawberries, citrus, melons and tomatoes are common hosts.
Because of the virus risk, lean hard on prevention and early action: trap them, prune out damage, spray neem, and back it all with predators and a little Beauveria. If a plant is clearly virus-struck (stunted, mottled, deformed), it’s kinder to the rest of your garden to pull it.
Prune and destroy affected parts
Cut off and bin the worst-scarred, distorted leaves and buds — don’t compost them, you’ll just move the problem.
Trap them
Yellow and blue sticky traps catch the adults and double as your early-warning system.
Spray neem or soap
A 5% neem oil spray repels them; soap sprays knock them back too. Evening, undersides, repeat through the cycle.
Try wood ash and good fungus
A dusting of wood ash deters them, and the beneficial fungus Beauveria bassiana infects and kills them.
Encourage predators
Ladybugs, green lacewings and minute pirate bugs all hunt thrips — keep them around by avoiding broad-spectrum sprays.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get rid of thrips naturally?
Prune and destroy affected parts, hang yellow/blue sticky traps, spray a 5% neem solution or soap, dust with wood ash, and encourage predators like lacewings and minute pirate bugs.
Why are thrips dangerous?
Beyond scarring leaves, thrips transmit plant viruses as they feed — which can do far more damage than the feeding itself.
What plants do thrips attack?
Chillies, onions, strawberries, citrus, melons and tomatoes are common hosts.