Controlling chilli thrips on roses

Chilli thrip will not just destroy your roses but citrus, tomato, chilli and other ornamentals. You only know that you have them once the major damage is apparent. It is much smaller than the average thrip and so pre-spraying does not often happen and once you start to see the carnage, control is difficult as the buds are already formed are likely been infected. This greatly increases the time from starting to spraying till you have the first perfect bloom. The damage inflicted can be severe enough not to allow the buds to even open. New foliage is also targeted with dark markings and distorted growth, and in severe cases the bush is defoliated.

Prompt action and regular vigilance when growing roses is suggested. To effectively manage outbreaks, regularly rotate between insecticide sprays. This is so the Chilli Thrip does not build up a resistance to a single spray regimen.  

Some of our Searles products registered for thrips are;

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• Searles Rose Pro Blackspot & Insect Killer (both concentrate and RTU) registered to control thrips on roses.

• Searles Trifend (both concentrate and RTU) registered to control thrips on roses.

• Searles Ecofend Vegetable & garden (both concentrate and RTU). Organic soap spray.

• Searles Bug Beater - Natural Pyrethrum.

Chilli thrip has a 15 – 20 day lifecycle so weekly spraying will be necessary, to prevent the juveniles getting to breeding stage. Spray late in the day when the pollinators have left, spray thoroughly to run off on the upper and underside of the leaves. These tiny predators also require spraying the ground area the rose as there larvae live in the ground through two stages and emerge with wings.  

Possible spray regime is

Week 1 Trifend/Rose Pro

Week 2 Ecofend/Bug Beater

Week 3 Trifend/Rose Pro

Week 4 Ecofend/Bug Beater

And continue if necessary or if no sign, go to fortnightly applications. The same rules apply as any other concentrated pesticide, make fresh that day and use all you have made. When you spray follow all the recommendation in strength, how to spray and appropriate PPE.

A plant in good health can fight off milder attacks of pests and disease, keep up regular feeding with Searles Rose & Flower Food every 3 weeks and SeaMax Liquid Fertiliser every fortnight. Always mulch around the roses but keeping mulch about 3cm away from the stem and watering regularly.  All pruning from infected stock must be bagged and binned, never use in the compost.

Once Chilli Thrip has spread into your area, it will become a regular issue for the rose lover but be aware this little menace can attack other plants in the garden so keep a keen eye out for them. Early intervention is far better than letting them get a hold as while they prevail in your rose garden you will have no roses to enjoy or pick.

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