Don’t Get Complacent About Chilli Thrips in Perth This Summer
As Perth’s warm season hits full swing, it’s tempting to ease up in the garden and assume your roses, hibiscus, or chillies are thriving. But around this time of year, chilli thrips can gain the upper hand within weeks if you’re not alert. These tiny, almost invisible pests flourish in hot, dry weather; precisely the conditions that define a Perth summer and can cause severe damage before you even realise they’re present.
Complacency is dangerous because chilli thrips don’t just nibble on leaves; they inject toxins that warp new growth, distort buds, and leave flowers discoloured and undersized. What may look like heat stress or nutrient deficiency is often the first sign of infestation. Once populations take hold, they spread rapidly through gardens and neighbourhoods, making control much harder.
Now is the time to stay proactive. Regular inspection is your best defence, check soft new shoots and flower buds weekly with a magnifying lens if possible. Remove and destroy affected growth immediately rather than composting it. If you see consistent damage, and are unsure what to do, please send me a message or call me.
Also remember your garden hygiene: control weeds that can host thrips, keep mulch tidy, and avoid over‑fertilising, which produces lush but vulnerable growth.
The worst mistake right now is assuming chilli thrips “aren’t bad this year.” They thrive when our attention slips. By staying observant, informed, and active, you can protect your plants and each other from another season of costly damage.
John Kelly