How to Identify and Get Rid of Thrips on Monstera?

How to Identify and Get Rid of Thrips on Monstera? In this article, we will guide you on how you can identify thrips on Monstera because many people are not able to find that and provide you with some treatment tips to solve this problem.

Key takeaways:

• A gardener has to struggle with various problems while growing a plant.
• Insects are the worst enemy of plants. If you do houseplant, you also come across this problem many times.
• Plants get damaged due to the attacks by these insects so, it is necessary to learn how to deal with the problem. 
• Monstera is a species of plant that is commonly grown by gardeners and also it is a good houseplant.
• It favors warmth, increases the humidity level, and also it is easy to care for this plant like  Bacopa Plants which is beneficial for the indoor environment.
• It can also go through heavy rainfalls due to the hole they have in the leaves. A common problem that every gardener faces with these plants is that they are prone to attacks of thrips. 

How to Identify and Get Rid of Thrips on Monstera? – What are their side effects on Monstera?

Small, thin bugs known as thrips have asymmetrical mouthparts and ragged wings. They have 2 mm-long characteristics and a transversely constricted body. Thrips cause damage to the plants and they are difficult to identify because of their tiny size. Most of them are brown and rupture the plant cells with their tiny needle mouth. 

Some species of them also spread various plant viruses. Adult female thrips will pierce the tissue of the plant before depositing eggs. The nymphs will hatch a few days later and start feeding on the sap right away. Monstera couldn’t properly carry water and nutrients throughout the plant without these saps. 

In simple words, the new babies start feeding on the plant fluids due to which the monstera plant is unable to get sufficient nutrients and minerals. These species can stay up to a 45-day cycle but they can generate more than 13 generations during this period. 

How to identify thrips on Monstera?

It is quite difficult to identify them on a plant due to their small size. No need to worry, in this section we will discuss the symptoms or signs shown by the plants that may help you in recognizing them. Here are tips to identify thrips on Monstera quickly:

Discoloration of leaves

This is the most common method to identify thrips. Brown or yellow discoloration can be caused due to various other factors also, so, don’t get confused. Just observe that if the yellowing of the leaves is happening on the center part of the leave rather than the side margins then it is surely due to the attack of thrips.

Other effects on leaves

Leaves of the plant will help you a lot in identifying thrips. Some of the other side effects that can be seen on the leaves are drooping or curling of the leaves. Once the caterpillars have sucked the plant sap, the pressure on the tissues of the leaves and roots is lessened. Your Monstera plants may have a thrip infestation if their leaves are curling, drooping, or looking wilted.

Black spots on leaves

If you are not sure till now, then this would be the final step to make sure about the identification of thrips. If thrips burrow into the leaves and stems to create eggs, little dark-black or brown spots may form. When you discover these dots, check for pests or other signs that your plants may become infested. 

How to get rid of thrips on Monstera?

Thrips can be very dangerous for a plant. Some of the tips that may help you to get rid of this problem are given below:

Increase Humidity

Thrips are most likely to live in a dry atmosphere. So, the first point to remember is that you can spray water frequently to moisten your plant. Also, you can wash away thrips by splashing water from a high force through pipes. With water poured over, it causes the insects to cling and become dead.

Using Bug Traps

Thrips in particular, and insects in general, favor blue, white, or yellow hues. This is why you should place colored insect traps next to your plants. These traps will attract thrips, which will get caught within. They will all ultimately fall prey to traps, protecting your Monsteras from insects.

Remove Damaged leaves

Pruning will also help you to solve this problem. You could see some damaged leaves as the thrips eat on your Monstera plant. Use a pair of clean shears or a knife to trim those leaves. Use gloves while performing this action because thrips can also irritate your skin. If leaves are not completely damaged then chop off the leaves having yellow or brown spots.

Insecticidal Soap

They are commonly known as horticulture soaps that are made from potassium fatty acids. This soap destroys the three p’s outer shell, which dehydrates it. The soap is water-based, and as it dries up, it loses its effectiveness against thrips. Spray this soap continuously for 10 to 14 days.

Neem oil

Neem oil may be used to completely get rid of the pest from your affected plant. It prevents them from breathing, killing the insects due to suffocation. Use this method wisely and avoid this use with other plants because it may kill other non-harmful insects also like a ladybug that are necessary for the plants.

Leaves of monstera plants are very attractive both for us and the thrips. Thrips are usually active during May and June, so, be more careful for this time of the year. You don’t need to worry if your plant has thrips, just follow the above-given actions and get rid of these thrips easily. But prevention is better than cure, so always maintain cleanliness and observe your plant.

What can be the cause of thrips on Monstera?

Gardens with a variety of weeds around are more likely to have issues with thrips. They typically serve as the origin of infestations in gardens. Dirty leaves of the plant may also be the reason for this problem. It is the easy point of entrance for the bugs like thrips or any other pest. Most of the time, thrips can become when you bring any other new plant from the store. Simply, it can be spread from one plant to another.

Concluding lines

In this guide, you come to know that Monstera is a species of plant that is commonly grown by gardeners, and also it is a good houseplant. It favors warmth, increases the humidity level, and also it is easy to care for this plant which is beneficial for the indoor environment. It can also go through heavy rainfalls due to the hole they have in the leaves. A common problem that every gardener faces with these plants is that they are prone to attacks of thrips. I hope this information will help you. 

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