Ladybugs and thrips

[gelato23]

I have a thrip problem, I’ve put up sticky traps and they are helping.
My tent is on 12/12 and I’ve got plants in different stages of flower, some on 2 weeks some coming up to the 8th. Will ladybugs eat the thrips and cause no damage to the buds?

 

[Powertech]

You’ll have dead ladybugs in your buds, but that’s it

 

[Renfro]

Why not use some spinosad?

 

[gelato23]

You’ll have dead ladybugs in your buds, but that’s it

why? I’ve read loads of stuff online saying that ladybugs eat most pests??

 

[gelato23]

Why not use some spinosad?

how late in the flower can I use it?

 

[Powertech]

why? I’ve read loads of stuff online saying that ladybugs eat most pests??

Have you thought what happened when pests are gone? Also there is a natural life cycle, meaning some will die anyway. With no where to go, they WILL die in your tent

 

[gelato23]

Have you thought what happened when pests are gone? Also there is a natural life cycle, meaning some will die anyway. With no where to go, they WILL die in your tent

will they die in the buds or on the floor? Can I vacuum them up when their dead? I’ve noticed some spider webs in there aswell now. What else could i use instead of the ladybugs then? My plants are 8 weeks into flower I don’t wanna ruin them, my others are 3 weeks into flower and I’m about to put 3 more in there. I’m doing a 12/12 from seed perpetual tent so I kinda wanna keep all pesticides safe for use around budding plants.

 

[Powertech]

I guess if you only release a few but then that wouldn’t help much. They will die all over the place, they will also fly out so where is your tent? I’m on my first grow, I just know that’s what will happen. Not sure what to use but I think there are still sprays that you can use in flower

 

[Renfro]

how late in the flower can I use it?

Up till the last week

 

[Axion42]

Up till the last week

You want to avoid the actual buds though right? I've also been using spinosad to get rid of thrips but wasn't aware I could use it so late into flower.

 

[Renfro]

You want to avoid the actual buds though right? I've also been using spinosad to get rid of thrips but wasn't aware I could use it so late into flower.

Spinosad breaks down in like 3 days, I wouldn't be concerned with using it up until the last 5 or 6 days on the whole plant. You will need multiple applications, I suggest 3 applications each 6 to 7 days apart. Thorough coverage, especially under leaves and drench the soil also.

A good way to handle them is to use a two ponged attack.

Spinosad then 3 days later botaniguard ES.
3 days later Spinosad, 3 days later botaniguard ES
3 days later Spinosad, 3 days later botaniguard ES

you could keep using the botaniguard ES longer at 5 - 10 day intervals if you want but those three spinosad applications is all that I recommend.

 

[Axion42]

Thanks, I'll look into the bontaniguard ES, so far the spinosad is working wonders I see their population dwindling daily.

 

[Renfro]

Nice thing about rotating multiple products with multiple modes of action is you avoid creating a resistant variety of thrips. Simply using the same product over and over has the potential to "select" bugs that are resistant to that particular pesticide and thus generate a population of super bugs. Thats entirely no bueno.