best organic option for thrips spider mites and leaf miners

Hello,

I am a home grower, mainly orchids. I recently noticed that some of my plants have thrips. I’ve been killing (using my fingers or tooth pick) as many as I can everytime I see them, but they won’t go away.

I also have some spider mites on some plants. Leaf miners are driving me crazy making my dahlias in the garden so ugly.

I am glad to find this website with so much good information about many different pests.

I was looking for something safe for home use and narrowed down to three options. Insecticidal soap, multipurpose insect killer, flying pest killer.

I would like to get your advice as to which one would be the best option for thrips, spider mites and leaf miners. If I need to buy more than one type for better control for different pests I mentioned, I would take more than two. I just want something that is safe for humans but that would kill these bugs. Thank you for taking your time!

Neil

The products you listed should all be good options. The only other product worth mentioning is the 3 IN 1 CONCENTRATE. It has an included fungicide and should help a lot during the summer months by having some fungus protection applied and because it’s integrated with the concentrate, you only have to use the one material so you won’t have to change anything you’re doing.

3 in 1 Spray: http://www.bugspraycart.com/organic/liquid/3-in-1-fungicide-miticide-insecticide

One other thing worth mentioning; if your plants are being grown in potted plants you need to watch the soil PH. Organic gardeners tend to let the PH get way too low and this will both attract pests and plant disease. Get yourself a PH METER and test the plant soil if you’re growing in pots. Make sure it reads 6.5 or higher. Once the PH gets too low, there is an open invitation to all kinds of problems like insect pests and disease.

PH Meter: http://www.bugspraycart.com/equipment/testing/phmoisturelight-probe

Soap: Insect Soap: http://www.bugspraycart.com/organic/liquid/insecticidal-soap

Organic Insect Killer: http://www.bugspraycart.com/organic/liquid/multi-purpose-insect-killer-24-oz

Flying Insect Killer: http://www.bugspraycart.com/organic/aerosol/flying-insect-killer-14-oz/