The local agricultural store recommended ladybugs to fight my thrips. She said they work like a charm. Is that true or was she misinformed or just handing me a line in hopes of promoting their ladybugs? Do they eat whitefly too?
I have aphids so I know they will have a bit of a meal on those. But it is the thrips that are really 'bugging' me.
Nearly all my roses have buds on them and I have already had some not open due to these little so-an-so's. I don't want to lose any more buds because of them so I want to act ASAP.
That statement is only partly correct; adult ladybugs will eat pollen and nectar before going into hibernation, and may subsist on it at other times. Their much preferred (and needed) food sources are soft bodied insects and insect eggs.
triple, I've not heard that ladybugs are effective against thrips. They're (the thrips) are awfully mobile little things.
