Thrips are tiny insects that are the size of a sewing needle. Thrips eat many plants by sucking on them. They damage plants because they transmit viruses to them. 

Thrips are tiny and slender. They measure 1/50 to 1/25 inches long. They vary in color from yellow, brown, to black. Thrips will jump or fly away when you try to get close to them. Thrips have slim, fringed wings. Larvae do not have wings, and are smaller than adults. They also tend to have red eyes and are light green or yellow. Thrips appear to be tiny dark specks on your plants. They are small enough not to be seen without a magnifying glass. At an up-close glance Thrips look like mini lobsters. 

Thrip adults and larvae live in soil during the winter. In the springtime, females insert their eggs into the tissues of plants. The eggs hatch into wingless larvae which feed on plant sap. Female thrips lay up to 80 eggs. The eggs go through several larval stages before becoming adults. 

Thrip damage can be identified as streaks, silvery speckling, and small white patches. The damage happens when Thrips suck on garden plants, flowers, fruits, and some shade trees. If you are experiencing an infestation, your plants may be underdeveloped with damaged flowers or fruit. When you see this kind of damage, it is caused by viruses that Thrips spread. 

The experts at Magic Pest and Lawn, can help you identify thrips and come up with a plan to get rid of them. Our experts know exactly what method to use to rid of these pests.