Mechanical Control

Mechanical Control: Prune out, bag up and throw infected plant materials in the trash. Some arborists suggested cutting down the Myoporum and letting it re-sprout, it grows back vigorously and in some cases can be healthier.

It has been observed that in situations where older bushes had recently had been heavily pruned back (assuming because of thrips damage as there were plants in the nearby landscapes that had major damage) that were flourishing with unaffected to minorly effected new and semi-new growth. This appears to be good control method if one does not mind hacking back their myoporum every time they get bad thrips. It seems that younger shoots are more resistant to thrips, probably due to the hardy nature of Myoporum that has made it such an invasive weed as well as a desired landscape plant.

Cultural Control

Cultural Control:

Keep plants healthy by giving them adequate water and fertilizer, however do not over water, or apply too much fertilizer as you may encourage thrips populations. In extreme cases you could put insect screens over smaller plants, or put down reflective mulch, which may repel thrips.

Reflective Mulch or mesh confuses and repels certain flying insects searching for plants, apparently because reflected ultraviolet light interferes with the insects’ ability to locate plants. Most uses of reflective mulch have been against winged aphids, but infestation of young plants by other pests including leafhoppers, thrips, and whiteflies has also been prevented or delayed.

Various materials, such as polyethylene plastic film, can be used. Silver or gray is the most effective color for reflective mulch or mesh, but white also works. Commercially available products include aluminum-metalized polyethylene and silver-embossed polyethylene from suppliers. Aluminum foil may be used on a small scale, such as for a home garden.

Chemical Control

Chemical Control:

Horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps are recommended, but have not been proven to control the Myoporum Thrips. Pesticides containing spinosad, (Conserve), or imidacloprid, (Merit), provide the best control and significantly reduce the number of thrips. However pesticides containing abamectin, (Avid), provide some control over time, but does not dramatically reduce populations.*

*With all of these options large reductions in predatory insects occurred. The plant material must be sprayed at least twice per season to get noticeable control, and the spray coverage must be very good. May not be the most cost effective option.

Alternative Plantings to Myoporum

Syzygium paniculatum

Brush Cherry

Queensland Native

Height 30ft

Spread 10-30ft

Light Full sun or partial shade

Moisture Medium, well-drained soils,

Tolerance Drought

Zones 10-11

Uses Erect to spreading, bushy, large shrub or small tree

Traits Reddish-bronze young leaves

Leaves Lanceolate, shiny, deep green

Flowers Small white with many yellow stamens in summer

Fruit Ovoid, pink, red, purple, or white pear-shaped berries after flowering

Alternative Plantings to Myoporum

Xylosma congestum

Shiny Xylosma

East Asia Native

Height 20ft

Spread 15ft

Light Full sun

Moisture Medium, well-drained soil

Tolerances Drought, heat, most soil types

Zones 8-24

Uses Evergreen shrub or small tree

Leaves Evergreen, shiny, light green

Flowers None

Fruit None

Alternative Plantings to Myoporum

Myrtus Communis

Common Myrtle

Mediterranean Native

Height 10ft

Spread 10 ft

Light Full sun to partial shade

Moisture Medium to low

Tolerance Drought

Zones 8-9

Uses Upright, bushy, evergreen shrub, mixed border, hedge, specimen

Traits Somewhat fragrant, solitary flowers

Leaves Ovate, dark green, glossy

Flowers White, little fragrance, tufts of white stamens; midsummer through fall

Fruit Purple-black berries in fall

Alternative Plantings to Myoporum

Callistemon salignus

White or Willow Bottlebrush

South Australia Native

Height 15-50ft

Spread 10-15ft

Light Full sun

Moisture Medium

Tolerance Drought, hardy at low temperatures

Zones 9-11

Uses Erect to spreading shrub or small tree

Traits Papery white bark, attracts butterflies

Leaves Narrow, lanceolate, pale green

Flowers Long, green or white, sometimes red pom-poms; spring to midsummer

Fruit None