Dealing With Adult Thrips? Here’s What Actually Works.
Mites can’t touch them. Sprays don’t always work. But if adult thrips are still crawling or flying around your plants, Orius insidiosus is your best option for natural, aggressive control.
Orius insidiosus (Minute Pirate Bug – Adults)
Biological Control for Thrips at Every Stage—Including Adults
Unlike cucumeris or swirskii mites—which only target thrips larvae—Orius insidiosus goes after the entire thrips lifecycle, including the adults. These small, fast-moving predators hunt thrips on contact, pierce them with specialized mouthparts, and feed immediately.
If you need a real solution for an active thrips outbreak, especially in flowering crops, Orius does what other biological controls can’t.
What It Treats
| Pest | Life Stages Targeted |
|---|---|
| Thrips | Adults and larvae |
| Aphids | Adults and juveniles |
| Moth eggs | Multiple species |
| Spider mites | Opportunistic feeding |
| Other soft-bodied pests | Varies based on conditions |
Orius is one of the few predators that pursues and kills adult thrips, making it ideal for fast, visible pest suppression.
Why Orius Works When Mites Don’t
| Feature | Orius insidiosus | Swirskii | Cucumeris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrips adults | Yes | No | No |
| Thrips larvae | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Other pests | Aphids, mites, moth eggs | Whiteflies, broad mites | Thrips larvae only |
| Feeding when pest pressure is low | Yes (pollen, aphids) | Yes (pollen) | Limited |
| Speed of action | Fast | Slower | Preventive only |
| Best for | Active outbreaks and flowering crops | Warm, mixed-pest prevention | Mild, early-stage thrips |
How It Works
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Day 0: Adults begin hunting on release
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Days 3–5: Females lay eggs near pest clusters
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Day 7: Eggs hatch into fast-feeding nymphs
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Weeks 2–3: Nymphs mature into new adults
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Under ideal conditions, you’ll get 6–7 weeks of continuous pest pressure
How Much to Use
| Setup | Application Rate |
|---|---|
| Small-scale setups | 1 Orius per 10 square feet |
| Greenhouses or flowering crops | 2,000–4,000 Orius per acre |
| High-pressure infestations | Increase rate and reapply every 10–14 days |
Apply early for best results. Orius is most effective when released at the first sign of adult thrips.
Best Conditions for Orius
| Condition | Ideal Range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 68–90°F |
| Humidity | Moderate |
| Crop type | Especially effective in flowering plants and pollen-rich environments |
| Application timing | Early morning or late afternoon (avoid midday heat) |
Orius performs best when pollen is available—it increases reproduction and persistence between pest meals.
Application Tips
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Release evenly across infested areas
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Avoid foliar sprays before or after application
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Combine with Swirskii or Cucumeris for full lifecycle control
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Flowering plants help Orius reproduce and persist
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Release early for faster suppression and better egg-laying
Safe for Everything But the Pests
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Non-toxic
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Safe for use around people, pets, and pollinators
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No re-entry interval required
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Zero residue
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Fully compatible with IPM and organic systems
Shipping and Storage
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Ships with live delivery guarantee
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Use immediately upon arrival for best results
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If delayed, store at 45–55°F for up to 24 hours
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Do not freeze or expose to heat
Too Many Options?
We get it. Try our mite/insect matchmaking quiz and instantly get matched to the solutions you may need.
Customer Reviews
This seemed to take care of 90% of my bugs super fast and with zero work from my part.. only ordering of course. But I never had any issues in my grow cabinets until now.. I didn’t sprinkle any in there and it seems all the pests have now found their way in them and are destroying my most prized plants!!! I will be ordering again just for my cabinets.. sad day.
These guys definitely killed all the thrips!
Our Live Delivery Guarantee
We stand behind every leaf and every mite. If your plant or predatory insects don’t arrive alive on the first delivery attempt, we’ll make it right.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Email us at info@fgmnnursery.com within 24 hours of delivery
- Include clear photos of the item and the shipping label
- Someone must be available to receive the package—plants and bugs don’t do well sitting in the sun, a mailbox, or the back of a delivery truck
For plants, we offer store credit if something goes wrong.
For predatory mites and beneficial insects, you’ll have the choice of a replacement shipment or store credit.
If you contact us after the 24-hour window, we may still be able to help—just know it’s handled case by case.
We pack with care, insulate when needed, and check the weather before shipping. But once it’s in transit, the fastest way to protect your order is to open it right away.
Mite Matters
The Hidden Toll of Thrips on Plant Health
How Predatory Mites Use Chemical Signals
Predatory mites don’t just hunt—they communicate. Plants call for backup with chemical signals, predators leave scent trails, and entire ecosystems shift in response. These invisible conversations shape how pests are controlled, long before you see results on the leaves.
