Thrips and No pest strips

[yamaha_1fan]

I posted some pics in the infirmary of some plant issues. I think one of the issues is thrips.

A little searching here suggested the No Pest strips will kill them.

I am heading out of town for a couple days and I threw one up in the flower room and veg room. Do these really work for thrips?

 

[blynx]

Did NOT work for me. I had to use Spinosad to get rid of thrips.

 

[Whatever]

Spinosad seems to be the defacto standard treatment for thrips. Go with Monterey Garden Insect Spray. Every time I've used the Strips with thrips they were dead in 24 hours. In a closed system no problem but in an open system you need to shut off your vent fans lights off to saturate the enviro. If you use Strips and keep the vent fans running doubt they will be effective. Once had mites in a larger room, but caught it super early right where it started, and couldn't spray cause everything was tied up in some netting and the Strips knocked em right out.

Thrips are very easy to know out compared to mites. The initial damage you see is probably from some mature buggers then the offspring are right behind. They have a fairly long life cycle on the plants then drop into the medium to pupate. Sometimes will pupate on the leaves. Always best to do a follow up treatment a few days later. Thrips are EASY to deal with IME.

 

[1love1earth]

here's my opinion:

#1. No pest strips claim that they are safe to use in any closed area that will be vacant for 3-4 months. That was enough to sell me on not to EVER use them. Frankly anything that effective against bugs, with a reccomendation to not inhabit the area for several months, clearly must come with a great health risk. Let alone the chance that the plant absorbs the toxins/carcinogens, and then you smoke it later on, yummy!

#2. Spinosad is reportedly extremely effective against thrips, and can be used extremely close to harvest, even on plants you're planning on eating, like tomatos. OMRI certified doesn't hurt either.

To me it seems like a no brainer.

NPS seem extremely popular here, and while they are extremely effective, after reading the label, I question the safety.

Imagine not only how toxic this stuff is, but how LONG is sticks around with a 3-4 month "vacant" warning, let alone the likelyhood of it being absorbed by the plant, or just settling on the bud, and later being consumed by smokers.

What potential harm could regular exposure to this stuff do, not only to a grower, but also a consumer?

 

[Purkle]

Good point.........makes me want to throw my NPS out the door! Anyone else?

 

[Guest 18340]

Spinosad will kill them almost instantly. I used Monterey Garden insect spray. 1 application is really all you need, 2 if you're compulsive lol! Seiously though, Spinosad is THEE stuff to use.!

 

[Maj.PotHead]

Good point.........makes me want to throw my NPS out the door! Anyone else?

no way if i ever get borg mites again they'll be dead w/in few days and the NPS. heres a helpfull hint if your usen bought clones find another source if your mothers are infested maybe kill them and start over. keep the envro clean if your placing mother plants outside spray them with neem oil what a great preventive messure neem is. Y1fan somethings up in your garden 4sure every run you have problems if your friends are donating clones maybe stop gettn them from them. my gardens indoors also only time i ever had a problem with bugs is when i would veg outside once i stoped that bugs stoped also. g/l

avid is the best most expensive stuff for killn bugs in my sig you'll find a link to benificial bugs in the garden maybe theres a natural cure for thrips there.

http://homeharvest.com/beneinsthrips.htm

 

[Karma Withakay]

If you do a search for thrips on this forum, you'll find kokua's thread on the Western Flower Thrips.

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=61807

It's even a sticky in the Infirmary forum, I'm not sure how you missed it. In that thread he goes over Spinosad, which is seriously the bee's knees in terms of eradicating them (and possibly other pests as well) safely. And for those of you who care, it's OMRI listed. And it's (relatively) cheap, under $20 out the door for a bottle that will likely last hobbyist gardeners indefinitely; unless you run into them a lot, in which case you should look into the source of the problem.

Isn't there a huge controversy on Avid, regarding how toxic and unsafe it is particularly in the later stages of flower? I wouldn't use it, unless I absolutely had to. Not to mention that it's very expensive (HID Hut no longer sells the bottle broken down into drams, as it is illegal to do so).

 

[the Rock]

no pest strips are a total waste of $$$

 

[yamaha_1fan]

If you do a search for thrips on this forum, you'll find kokua's thread on the Western Flower Thrips.

http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=61807

It's even a sticky in the Infirmary forum, I'm not sure how you missed it. In that thread he goes over Spinosad, which is seriously the bee's knees in terms of eradicating them (and possibly other pests as well) safely. And for those of you who care, it's OMRI listed. And it's (relatively) cheap, under $20 out the door for a bottle that will likely last hobbyist gardeners indefinitely; unless you run into them a lot, in which case you should look into the source of the problem.

Isn't there a huge controversy on Avid, regarding how toxic and unsafe it is particularly in the later stages of flower? I wouldn't use it, unless I absolutely had to. Not to mention that it's very expensive (HID Hut no longer sells the bottle broken down into drams, as it is illegal to do so).

I didnt miss it that thread. But I did search Thrips and I found some that suggest NPS worked for them. Considering I already had the NPS and was leaving for a couple days, I thought it couldnt hurt to use them.

I dont have a NPS here but I dont recall it saying the area couldnt be habitable for 3-4 months. I believe the strip is good for 3-4 months, and you shouldnt be exposed to it for more than 3-4 hours at a time.

As far as a bottle lasting a long tome, is it diluted? Keep in mind I have maybe 900 plants in roughly 200 sq ft of growing space.

I have not seen ONE bug yet. Just these spots and some black specks around the spots. So I am not sure if I even have thrips.

I got a post in the infirmary section.

Maj PH. Everything is inhouse. I have my own moms grown from seedling.

You aint kidding about problems. I just was talking to someone and how my yields suck and I have so many issues. Its time to get this straightened out or hang it up.

 

[1love1earth]

I think for a 16 oz bottle of water it called for .5 tsp or something, maybe less than .5, I can't remember the math right now. I think it was 4 tsp per gallon though.

The bottle is almost 1 liter. 20 ml per gallon would mean you could make 50 gallons of spray per bottle of product, for $25 a pop or so.

 

[Mr Stinkweed]

here's my opinion:

#1. No pest strips claim that they are safe to use in any closed area that will be vacant for 3-4 months. That was enough to sell me on not to EVER use them. Frankly anything that effective against bugs, with a reccomendation to not inhabit the area for several months, clearly must come with a great health risk. Let alone the chance that the plant absorbs the toxins/carcinogens, and then you smoke it later on, yummy!

#2. Spinosad is reportedly extremely effective against thrips, and can be used extremely close to harvest, even on plants you're planning on eating, like tomatos. OMRI certified doesn't hurt either.

To me it seems like a no brainer.

NPS seem extremely popular here, and while they are extremely effective, after reading the label, I question the safety.

Imagine not only how toxic this stuff is, but how LONG is sticks around with a 3-4 month "vacant" warning, let alone the likelyhood of it being absorbed by the plant, or just settling on the bud, and later being consumed by smokers.

What potential harm could regular exposure to this stuff do, not only to a grower, but also a consumer?

Let me ask....wouldnt it have been better if you actually did some research on the product before giving an opinion??/

Youve stated what the manufacturer 'claims'...

Here is some info from the web...

lets see how accurate your statements are...



Use Only In Closets, Wardrobes, Cupboards and Storage Spaces:
Do not use in areas of a home where people will be present for an extended period of time (e.g. Living Room, Family Room). Gives continuous protection against moths, silverfish, cockroaches and other insects, as listed, in closets, wardrobes and storage spaces for up to 4 months and leaves no odor. Remove strip from sealed bag and hang or stand unit on wardrobe or closet rail, ensuring that the strip does not contact clothes or fabrics and that air can circulate around the strip. Keep the space closed. One 65g unit will treat a space of 900-1200 cu. ft. for up to 4 months. If more than one is required, distribute them over the space equally. Record the date on installation so that the old strip may be replaced with a new, fresh, full strength strip at the end of the 4 month period or when effectiveness diminishes. Do not use more than the number of strips recommended for the space to be treated. Do not use in any rooms or closets of rooms where infants, children and the sick or aged are or will be present for any extended period of confinement. Do not use where unwrapped food is stored or allow the strip to come in contact with food or cooking utensils. Do not allow children or pets to play or to sleep in these areas when treatment is in progress.

Dichlorvos

What happens to dichlorvos when it enters the environment?
Dichlorvos enters the environment during its manufacture and use, from landfills, and from accidental spills during transport and leaks from storage containers.
It evaporates easily into the air, where it is broken down into less harmful chemicals.
It will dissolve in water, where microorganisms can break it down.
It takes about 24–36 hours for half of the chemical to be broken down in water.
Dichlorvos does not appear to accumulate in plants, fish, or animals.

=================================


By the way I use these things for thrips and will continue...

I unlike some actually know what the active ingredient is and accept what it is...

dichlorvos used to be used in flea collars for cats and dogs...

the same cats and dogs that sat on the laps of their owner for hours each and every day.....

 

[spacecadet]

yeah what mr stick weeds said and it kills mites as well so far it works well for me and i used it up till a week before harvest

 

[EuroToker]

Do you have access to Avid from your local growshop? thats usually a great solution to any pest problem, Also do you run co2? another great way to rid yourself of them

 

[Maj.PotHead]

Y1F right on ok sounds more like over crowding maybe drop #'s to say 400-450 in your erea. maybe give a wk longer veg to make up for the less plant numbers looks like your averaging 5 plants per sqft. i've allways been under the impression for sog 2-4 plants max per sqft anything more and your gonna have problems from over crowding. ya have planty of light 9k i would suggest drop plant numbers to 400-450 in your erea then watch your yield increase and your problems go away

 

[1love1earth]

so it looks like I misread the 3-4 months part, but regardless, it's not safe for children but it is for adults? Must just be like aspirin.

"The United States Environmental Protection Agency first considered a ban on DDVP in 1981. Since then it has been close to being banned on several occasions, but continues to be available. Major concerns are over acute and chronic toxicity."

And with the EPA being such a liberal, progressive, and left wing agency since Regan/1980's..... One wonders how it came so close to being banned several times, because here in the states, we tend not to ban chemicals even if they are somewhat toxic.

 

[Mr Stinkweed]

so it looks like I misread the 3-4 months part, but regardless, it's not safe for children but it is for adults? Must just be like aspirin.

"The United States Environmental Protection Agency first considered a ban on DDVP in 1981. Since then it has been close to being banned on several occasions, but continues to be available. Major concerns are over acute and chronic toxicity."

And with the EPA being such a liberal, progressive, and left wing agency since Regan/1980's..... One wonders how it came so close to being banned several times, because here in the states, we tend not to ban chemicals even if they are somewhat toxic.

Im not goint to bag you again for your reading issues... it certainly doesnt say what you purported about children...

about toxicity .... water is also somewhat toxic....

if you drink too much you die...

The epa has never banned the stuff simply because the science doesnt indicate it..... I use them with some caution....normally only 3 days at a time.... about monthly.......

it keeps the little bastards from getting out of hand.....

 

[Karma Withakay]

Why is everyone turning such a simple problem into something so complicated, risky / hazardous? The last thrips thread I saw took this very same route. I guess it's true that you can only lead a horse to the water, but can't make 'em drink it.

Just get a bottle of spinosad, and it's game over for thrips. Seriously.

End of discussion.

 

[yamaha_1fan]

I was at the store today and I meant to ask for the spinosad but totally forgot I was in such a hurry.

I will leave the NPS in for a bit, maybe rotate them in and out every few days. I havent actually seen any bugs though.

Do the damaged spots heal? I am wondering how I will know if I got rid of them.

 

[Karma Withakay]

I was at the store today and I meant to ask for the spinosad but totally forgot I was in such a hurry.

Try Home Depot.

Do the damaged spots heal? I am wondering how I will know if I got rid of them.

No, but they will not continue to spread. Are you checking under the leaves with magnification?