Curative Control

Plants in pest control

1. Garlic
2. Neem

Other substances

1. Alcohol, 70% isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol (Ellis;Bradley: p. 465-466).
   Wipe affected plants with cotton ball soaked in 70% isoprophyl alcohol.
2. 70% isopropyl alcohol spray
   Dilute 1-2 cups isoprophyl alcohol with 1 liter water (Ellis;Bradley: p. 466).
3. Ammonia spray
4. Flour spray
5. Soap spray

Precaution: Soap spray, undiluted alcohol and the solution of water + alcohol, as well as ammonia spray may injure foliage. Test sprays on few leaves before applying to entire plant. It may take 2 days for damage symptoms to appear.

Physical methods

1. Collect thrips by gently shaking leaves and flowers onto a white sheet of paper or into a shallow cartoon box.
2. Bright blue or royal blue sticky traps. Thrips are attracted to these colors. To make your own sticky trap, spread petroleum jelly or used motor oil on a blue shade painted plywood, 6 cm x 15 cm or up in size. Place traps near the plants with enough distance that the leaves from sticking to the board (Thomas, 2002). The traps when hung should be positioned at a 60-75 cm zone above the plants.