Avid has some systemic residual action, but for them to die they need to feed. My understanding is that when they in one of the stages in soil -they do not feed - so they emerge and do it. That;s why you need to repeat the treatment 3 times. You can spray with Merit - it is imidacloprid for spray - it is $42 on Amazon - probably one time is enough because of the systemic action - but in any case it is better to disbud - because the plant protects its flowers and doesn't let any foreign substance to saturate the pollen and they bugs can survive inside the unopened buds. Too much work for you to spray and have them come back.

I.

I found one violet with thrips and sprayed everything with Neem as recommended by Fred Hill. I have never been very successful with Neem but I did notice that the plant I found the thrips on was one I had yet to treat with Avid.

I have some Merit-should I disbud then spray or vice-versa? What is your experience with Neem? Any luck?

Linda

Hi Linda,

I seem to have stemmed a recent Thrip outbreak by disbudding and mixing a dose of Bonide into the surface of each affected plant's topsoil.

I had less success with mixing Bonide into my soil mix and repotting. My Violets didn't seem to take too well to that. The Thrips seem to be gone, ... but a few of the treated plants experienced set-backs, and I lost, at least, one plant in the process.

Regarding adding any kind of imidacloprid to soil = wet your soil, add the pesticide - and let it sit for 10 days. Takes the bite away and protects the sensitive varieties of AVs from reaction to it.

i.

Thanks i, ... and Happy Holidays to all ...