Thrips.....friend or foe

Hello all,

I have taken over the care of a ficus after my housemate moved out. The poor thing was covered in soft scale which I have been treating. Today, I also noticed what I think are thrips. Would anyone be able to advise whether these are the benficial/harmful type?

If it's the harmful type, what is the best method for getting rid of them ?

Thanks everyone!!

 

Hello redd, I'm not sure that there's such a thing as a beneficial thrip When you say that you're treating the ficus for scale, are you wiping the leaves? If so, that should dissuade the thrips and get rid of any eggs too. Some folks swear by yellow sticky traps to combat whitefly and thrips, but, like fly-papers, they can be tricky (as well as sticky), and not very aesthetic.

 

Hello!

Yes, I have been wiping them off everyday. I bought some neem oil which I might use to make a spray soon. Thanks for the advice about the sticky strips!!!