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Are these thrips? How do you get rid of them? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by laurelinae to c/gardening

7 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hi Gardeners!

I need your advice! I am plagued by these tiny bugs. They are everywhere around the flat. They come in through the windows and the balcony and hang around the walls and the ceiling. They can fly and notoriously land on people, which is very annoying.

I suspect that these are thrips, but I am no expert and would like confirmation. If these are thrips, then I do not understand why they are here, because there are no plants around. Neither inside nor on the balcony.

What can I do to get rid of them? How can I prevent them from coming inside? Reminder: They are inside, so I would not like to spray insecticide around.

Thanks in advance!

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[–] SuperLogica 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They are thrips. Depending on where you are if there are a lot it’s most likely because you’re in a rural-ish area and the harvests are starting to be brought in. E.g. where I am this is very common at this time of year because of the heat and the crops grown round here. Not much to be done about it, just nature…

[–] laurelinae 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Thank you for the honesty! Rural area, harvest season and summer heat make perfect sense. I hate that I can't do anything about it though :c

[–] SuperLogica 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

One crawled behind my computer monitor screen and died, right in the middle, last summer, so I feel your pain 😂 Plus they’re itchy. But they should disappear again in a few weeks.

[–] laurelinae 3 points 1 year ago

Oh no 🙈

[–] scarabic 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Like a lot of insect bother, it’s probably going to pass quickly as soon as their peak season is done. So even if you can’t change it, be comforted that it’s only a matter of time. Also be comforted that your surroundings are healthy and able to support life!

You may be able to discourage infiltration into your home by sealing gaps and applying some insecticide to OUTSIDE surfaces to keep them away from doors and windows where they might gain entry.

I once had a spider up my nose and afterward asked a doctor to scope me out and make sure I was okay. Turns out he has removed so many bugs from people’s heads that he is paranoid about it now. He said he liberally brushes peppermint oil all around his windowsills, doorways, and air vents. Some crawling bugs don’t want to cross it.

[–] laurelinae 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

peppermint oil

Thanks for the tip!

How did you get a spider up your nose? :D

[–] scarabic 3 points 1 year ago

Woke up, blew my nose, out came spidey. It was a pretty messed up morning.