Thrips are small, but super efficient, tubular-shaped flies
that'll bring great destruction to the unfortunate plant(s). They can be
introduced into your home via many different methods, but most notably
being through an open window, newly-bought plant or via infected soil
during transplantation.
And last, but not less terrifying, they can, and will, reproduce
asexually, and with no natural predators found in human spaces, they can quickly
multiply and cause significant damage.
A thrip in action, "droppin' like it's hot" 💩, and that's
actually one of the ways to identify a thrips infection.
Video by Lauren Sottile.
Tips&Co
Eradication Difficulty - Moderate;
Life Cycle - Up to forty days;
The female can lay up to TWO-HUNDRED eggs in total;
Thrips will prance along the plant's flat surfaces, meaning that pretty
much all parts above the soil line can be affected;
Remove and CRUSH each visible bug and larvae using your
fingers or a damp cloth.
Prune off the worst affected leaves and any flowers that house the infestation;
Wash the plant and replace the top quarter of the soil with a fresh best of the
appropriate compost while it's drying off;
Spray the foliage using either an organic, or chemical-based pesticide recommended
for thrips, and repeat every 7 - 14 days, until there are no signs of an infestation
for several weeks;
QUARANTINEEEEEEEE the affected specimens into another room to avoid
further spread during an attack.