Thrips: How to Identify and Get Rid of These House Plant Pests

What They Look Like

Thrips are thin, black insects with feathery wings. They're tiny and difficult to see unless disturbed, hopping quickly or flying away.

They're not common on indoor plants. More typically found in the outdoor flower garden, they can hitch a ride indoors on plants, people and pets. Once inside, they have no choice but to feed on your house plants. They multiply quickly, so it doesn't take long before you have a large infestation on your hands.

Their young are yellowish and wingless.

Where to Find Them

These insects suck plant juices with their needle-sharp mouthparts, causing a great deal of damage to plants. They feed on both leaves and flowers.

Thrip larvae is on the surface of the soil, so be sure to treat the soil, too.

Thrips damage is worst in hot, dry conditions. Obvious signs of thrip infestation are silvery streaked areas on leaves and dark spots on flowers.

How to Get Rid of Thrips

Isolate the plant so they don't move on to your other plants. Prune any heavily damaged leaves or flowers.

The easiest way to remove these insects is to wash them off with a fine spray of water. It's a good idea to spray your plant again after a few days.

If that doesn't do the trick, there are other non-toxic treatments that will work. Use an insecticidal soap made for indoor plants. Spray every 2-3 days for 4 weeks or as needed. Make sure your plant is listed on the product label. Read the label carefully and follow the manufacturer's directions for use.

Oil sprays, such as neem oil is effective in killing thrips. Neem oil doesn't kill them immediately -- it causes them to stop feeding so that they die.

Blue sticky traps placed near the plant are also a good option. Although many other pests are drawn to yellow sticky traps, research shows thrips are attracted to bright blue.