Yes, let them go, they dont have enough time to swarm before you cut. I just fought off thrips (for now) last wednesday, habenero & water sprayed on the soil and under a few fans leaves did the job (caught it early), mine are 33 days into flower right now. I havent had to spray since friday (just avoided spraying the buds) and it seemed to work. you could always just inspect the leaves and rub those fu#kers off with your fingers(doesn't take much more than a light touch), that works too.