Comparing neem oil, insecticidal soap, spinosad/Monterey Garden

[Shrinkrap]

Insect spray, for thrips and mites and caterpillars; oh my!


There is at last a day with remps maxing out at 85, no rain in the forecast, but several days of what I expect is spider mite and/or thrip damage on my tomatoes. I think of a hard spray as the least harmful in terms of helpful bugs, and spinosad as the most harmful, but also fear losing plants quickly, after so long, and so close to getting some fruit. There are caterpillars too, but I can usually catch and destroy those in my regular forays.

Fungus is not usually a concern here. Spider mites and thrips have a field day with our very hot and very dry climate.

Any thoughts?

[Gerardo]

Thrips are tough customers. It's hard to beat them back, and they come in waves. Unfortunately, you only notice their presence once they've done their damage.


Create a "trap" area with mostly yellow flowers, douse 'em with the chemical of your choice.


Study the life cycle of thrips and find your targets.



Be diligent about the days you spray, keep to the schedule.



Rotate, rotate, rotate the mechanism of death.


Buy TSWV resistant varieties (Granadero, Plum Regal are the ones I'm betting on this year)


Have backup plants in a segregated area of the garden.


And when all this fails, go to the mattresses like I have and buy these two:

[Shrinkrap]

Wow! Thanks!