Growing cannabis can make you feel as though you are connecting with a part of nature. However, some parts of nature are not so friendly to your cannabis crop. Harmful pests can wreak havoc on a cannabis crop, demolishing quality and yields in just a manner of days, if not hours.
Thankfully, there are steps to not only preventing bugs from accessing your cannabis crop, but there are also ways to help beat these bugs at their own game. The key to achieving success does not happen overnight but through hard work and perseverance. To get started, you must know the pests you face and then work from there.
There are a wide variety of cannabis-damaging pests that growers need to keep an eye out for. While there is a very large population of pests that can damage cannabis plants, here are just a few of the most common ones that growers will come across in their careers.
Aphids are a common pest that all growers will face at one point or another. These small bugs can carry a big impact on your grow. Coming in a wide range of colorations, from green to black to grey (and more), they can be found on stems and leaves of plants.
According to the University of Minnesota Extension, aphids “gather where they can feed on new succulent growth on unopened flower buds, the underside of young leaves and developing stems, twigs, bark, and roots.” Immature aphids, called nymphs, can devour roots in the soil where their eggs are hatched.
Spider mites are another common pest that can wreak havoc on a cannabis crop. These pests are known for weaving webs around buds and in between leaves and stems. According to the University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources, spider mites cause damage by sucking the contents of plant cells directly from the leaves.
Grasshoppers, while a more rare problem than the other listed pests in this article, are a common bug found across the US and like to make a meal out of cannabis plants. They are a more common problem for outside grows, but can impact indoor grows as well.
Thrips are a slender, winged insect that can also cause damage to your cannabis crop. According to the University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources, “Thrips feeding can stunt plant growth and cause damaged leaves to become papery and distorted, develop tiny pale spots (stippling), and drop prematurely. Infested terminals may discolor and become rolled.”
Pests like the ones mentioned above can bring a host of problems to your cannabis crop. These pests can devour your crops, putting stress on them that could result in herming, yield reduction, or even plant death. If untreated, one infested room could spread to other rooms, perpetuating a dangerous cycle.
Some pets, like grasshoppers, can not only devour plants but also transmit viruses such as Alfalfa Mosaic Virus. They act as hosts to the virus, carrying them from one plant to another as they chow down on your crop.
Eliminating an established pest infestation in your grow is a task that cannot be done in a single day. Depending on the pest and the severity of the infestation, it could take up to several weeks (sometimes longer in extreme cases) to fully eradicate the pest population.
The first step to eliminating pests in your grow is to first clean up any dead/decaying plant matter and trash in your grow. This kind of material creates a breeding ground bugs can feed and lay eggs in, keeping the population going and continuing the problem.
After accomplishing that, then the focus can be directed toward combating the pests living on your plants and in your soil. Depending on your state’s laws and regulations governing testing and pest maintenance, there are certain pesticide sprays that can be used. However, it is important to know how late into the plant’s life cycle they can be used and if they will impact your yield.
Once eradicated, it will be important to take steps to ensure an infestation does not appear again. There are several things that can be done to create a barrier and ensure your cannabis crop stays happy and healthy.
As always, the best offense is a good defense. There are several ways to help prevent harmful pests from getting hold of your cannabis crop.
&nsbp;
The first and foremost is implementing proper cleaning procedures and keeping your grow clean. Many kinds of harmful pests, including spider mites and aphids, breed and thrive in decaying plant matter. Keeping leaves out of your pots, off your tables, and off your floors can help deter pests from creating a home inside your grow.
Secondly, using predator bugs can be a beneficial and natural way of keeping pests at bay. Lady buys (but not Asian Beetles) and Praying Mantises are popular and efficient predator bugs that eat aphids, spider mites, and other plant destroying pests. However, it is important to keep a healthy population going in order to be effective.
Third, knowing how to use Pest Management Sprays, such as peppermint and eucalyptus sprays can also be a deterrent for pests. Peppermint and eucalyptus naturally repel pests that cause damage to cannabis crops. However, it is important to note that one should read over the ingredients in a pest management spray before application to ensure there is no ingredient that would cause a plant to fall out of your state’s regulatory guidelines.
Finally, make sure your grow does not have any holes or gaps for bugs to use to access your crop. This may sound like a no-brainer, but in the busyness of day to day activity, it can be easily overlooked. One of the easiest ways to tell if you have holes leading to the outside is to turn off your grow lights, allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness, and then make note of any light holes that bugs would be able to use as an entry point. This can also help with identifying any light leaks that may cause your plants to herm.
Creating a barrier against pests will help deter future infestations and help create a healthy and happy cannabis crop. The battle against pests is ongoing and can be difficult at times, but having a good base knowledge and following standards of procedure to prevent infestations can help keep your grow looking at its best.
Works Cited
Godfrey, LD. “Spider Mites Management Guidelines–UC IPM.” UC IPM, 2011, https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7405.html. Accessed 23 April 2023.
Hahn, Jeffrey, and Suzanne Wold. “Aphids in home yards and gardens | UMN Extension.” University of Minnesota Extension, 2023, https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/aphids#aphid-feeding-316060. Accessed 23 April 2023.
University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources. “Thrips Management Guidelines–UC IPM.” UC IPM, 2014, https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7429.html. Accessed 23 April 2023.
to receive updates and news on our products, events and promos!
