Suzi says you must talk to them. And nibble from time to time helps too :p
(I had to throw away one of my dendrobiums this year. I lost patience for it. Kept getting thrips, losing leaves and not growing well in general. It was just taking space of those that do grow well and need more space now.)
The only way to get rid of thrips is with serious insecticides every other week and that stuff is illegal in EU so I understand your frustration
It's gone now and so are the thrips :)
Its funny cause I kept it near my Cattleya and Procatavola and they never got any trips. Some just attract every bug there is it seems.
Yes, they were not happy with you. Plants have natural defences against pests but if they are stressed, they are vulnerable