Ladybugs and thrips

gelato23

Active Member
I have a thrip problem, I’ve put up sticky traps and they are helping.
My tent is on 12/12 and I’ve got plants in different stages of flower, some on 2 weeks some coming up to the 8th. Will ladybugs eat the thrips and cause no damage to the buds?
 

Powertech

Well-Known Member
why? I’ve read loads of stuff online saying that ladybugs eat most pests??
Have you thought what happened when pests are gone? Also there is a natural life cycle, meaning some will die anyway. With no where to go, they WILL die in your tent
 

gelato23

Active Member
Have you thought what happened when pests are gone? Also there is a natural life cycle, meaning some will die anyway. With no where to go, they WILL die in your tent
will they die in the buds or on the floor? Can I vacuum them up when their dead? I’ve noticed some spider webs in there aswell now. What else could i use instead of the ladybugs then? My plants are 8 weeks into flower I don’t wanna ruin them, my others are 3 weeks into flower and I’m about to put 3 more in there. I’m doing a 12/12 from seed perpetual tent so I kinda wanna keep all pesticides safe for use around budding plants.
 

Powertech

Well-Known Member
I guess if you only release a few but then that wouldn’t help much. They will die all over the place, they will also fly out so where is your tent? I’m on my first grow, I just know that’s what will happen. Not sure what to use but I think there are still sprays that you can use in flower
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
You want to avoid the actual buds though right? I've also been using spinosad to get rid of thrips but wasn't aware I could use it so late into flower.
Spinosad breaks down in like 3 days, I wouldn't be concerned with using it up until the last 5 or 6 days on the whole plant. You will need multiple applications, I suggest 3 applications each 6 to 7 days apart. Thorough coverage, especially under leaves and drench the soil also.

A good way to handle them is to use a two ponged attack.

Spinosad then 3 days later botaniguard ES.
3 days later Spinosad, 3 days later botaniguard ES
3 days later Spinosad, 3 days later botaniguard ES

you could keep using the botaniguard ES longer at 5 - 10 day intervals if you want but those three spinosad applications is all that I recommend.
 

Axion42

Well-Known Member
Thanks, I'll look into the bontaniguard ES, so far the spinosad is working wonders I see their population dwindling daily.
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Nice thing about rotating multiple products with multiple modes of action is you avoid creating a resistant variety of thrips. Simply using the same product over and over has the potential to "select" bugs that are resistant to that particular pesticide and thus generate a population of super bugs. Thats entirely no bueno.
 
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