Bean Flower Thrip management

[Weedo]

Anyone have ideas (non-chemical) on managing Bean Flower thrip? My dwarf beans have been hit heavily the past 2 weeks. The result is distorted and small beans which are still edible but much less prolific. Pyrethrum seems to have some effect but not a lot. I think I will pull all the affected dwarf beans out, solarise the material then replant using a different variety.

[Green Aura]

There's some good management info here although they suggest spraying is the only reliable solution
https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/asset ... FS-web.pdf

It's quite interesting they use the yellow sticky traps for information rather than trapping - another site suggested different colours - yellow, green or blue would attract different species of thrip and trap them so I don't know if that's of any use.

The general info though suggests keeping a clear - flower-free area around and general disposal hygiene. Which sort of buggers up any mixed planting plans. I did wonder if splitting your plants up in a mixed plot, rather like masking carrots with other plants to deter root fly, might hide them, but I suppose if they live in other flowering plants too it wouldn't help.

Sorry that's probably not much help.

[diggernotdreamer]

Can you use a biological control ? a predator of some sort

[Weedo]

Thanks Maggie
It does seem that chemical spraying is the only thorough solution
I think my major problem will be re-invasion as there are a lot of broad acre crops around me that have the pest (chick pea, field peas, faba bean, lupin etc). One organic grower site suggests spraying with soap solution; perhaps I will try this on the new crop (or maybe a stronger surfactant). I pulled the old crop out yesterday and gave them to the horses over the fence.