You've prepared everything perfectly: carefully selected the seeds, set up the grow set, adjusted the lighting, taken care of the watering, the plant grows and grows - and suddenly they appear, the unwanted guests on your plants. Pests! Every hobby grower's nightmare and unfortunately a common reality when growing cannabis. But don't worry, with the right tips and tricks you can successfully protect your plants from these little pests or get rid of them effectively.
In this article, you will find out which pests are most common in home growing and what you can do to save your plants - or even better, how to prevent an infestation from the outset!
Common pests
Spider mites
These tiny arachnids are the nightmare of many growers. Spider mites suck the plant sap from the leaves, leaving behind their characteristic white webs. You can often recognize them by the fact that the leaves become blotchy and eventually brown. Spider mites love dry, warm conditions - exactly what your plant normally needs.
Fungus gnats
If you see small, black flies buzzing around your plants, you are probably dealing with fungus gnats. Their larvae live in moist soil and nibble on the roots of your plants. The adult flies are harmless, but the larvae can cause serious damage to your plants by disrupting nutrient uptake.
Aphids
These small green, yellow or black insects suck the sap from the leaves and stems of your plant, leaving behind deformed and yellowed leaves. They also secrete sticky honeydew, which encourages mold growth.
Thrips
Thrips are tiny, almost invisible insects that like to feed on the leaves of your plant. They leave silvery, shiny spots on the leaves and can transmit viruses that further weaken your plants.
Prevention - better than cure
As the saying goes? Better safe than sorry! With these simple measures, you can put a stop to many pest problems from the outset:
- Control the humidity: Spider mites like it dry. Keep the humidity in your growing area between 50% and 70% to prevent them from spreading.
- Regular checks: Check your plants regularly for signs of pests. The earlier you recognize them, the easier it is to control them.
- Clean environment: Keep your growing area clean. Remove dead leaves and make sure there is no standing water to create the perfect breeding ground for insects.
- Ventilation and air circulation: Good ventilation not only helps your plants to grow, but also deters pests. Fans provide fresh air and prevent mold or insects from spreading.
- Use beneficial insects: Rely on the power of nature! Ladybugs and lacewings are excellent biological pest controllers that prey on aphids. There are countless beneficial insects for the cannabis plant and, in our opinion, there is nothing better for prevention. It's worth finding out more - we also rely on small, natural helpers in our cultivation facility!
Control - What to do when the pests are there?
Even the best precautionary measures cannot always prevent pests from settling in. But don't worry, there are effective ways to save your plants!
Get rid of spider mites
Rinse your plants with a mixture of water and neem oil to get rid of spider mites. Make sure that you also reach the undersides of the leaves. Repeat the process every few days until you no longer see any mites.
Fighting fungus gnats
You can control fungus gnat larvae with nematodes, tiny threadworms. These useful helpers attack the larvae in the soil and eliminate the problem at the root. In addition, yellow boards help to catch the adult flies.
Removing aphids
An old household remedy for aphids: a soapy solution of biodegradable soap and water. Spray the affected areas, leave it to work for a short time and then rinse the plants with clear water. Several applications at intervals of a few days are often necessary.
Get rid of thrips
Neem oil or insecticides based on rapeseed oil are excellent against thrips. Also put up blue boards to catch the flying insects and prevent re-infestation.
Conclusion: Don't panic in case of pest infestation!
Pests on your cannabis plant are no reason to panic. With simple precautionary measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of an infestation and if it does happen, you now have the tools you need to act quickly. So nothing stands in the way of your successful harvest!
Stay green and happy growing!
Your Marry Jane Team
All information without guarantee.
Note on the use of language:
For reasons of readability, we do not use gender-neutral language in our texts. However, it goes without saying that all genders are always addressed equally. At Marry Jane, we attach great importance to inclusion and equality - everyone is welcome here, regardless of gender, identity or origin.
