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Pest prevention

B

Bikerstonrr

New member
Currently still in my first grown and while I have no critters yet, I have always benn more of a prevention kind of guy instead of waiting and then doing something

At various times I have read threads about what to do when such and such attacks my plants. A lot of times the responder will say something about prevention but, I have yet to find anything that would tell me everything I can do for total (as much as possible) prevention.

If any of you have a set of 'tricks' you use for prevention, perhaps you could pass along your experiences.

I'm an indoor grower with a 300watt led and will be using coco/perlite on my future grows.
 
Hi Biker

I have house plants all over my house and never get bugs, I was reading the hemp crops in the pre-1937's didn't have a bug that hurt the crops it has defenses to protect itself.

So I was scared about getting bugs when I first started and they didn't come in my basement and get the pot. I wish I know what makes bugs move in other then living in live dirt (from compost) keeping the dirt to wet attracts bugs . And I don't feel comfortable using bug sprays for something I ingest. The Bug issue is on the table and the more we can report the better
 
I hear that thier is a lot less bug problems with co co rather than soil but to be safe put a layer of sand on top ( prevents laying of eggs) and yellow stickie paper around plant ( thay love yellow) can't resist it, doing this should control most of your concerns. Good luck
 
That is one of the reasons I went with coco. Thanks I'll try the sand and yellow stickies on my next grow (about one week from now two black jacks will be ready to transplant).
 
Most bugs are attracted to light sources, so controlling light leaks could help prevent drawing the little critters to your grow, especially if you run the lights 24/7 in the vegetative period. If you have an air intake into your grow area, either put a fine screen on the intake, and or, lay a yellow sticky trap inside the duct work to try to trap any intruders.
I use an azadirachtin in my reservoirs to control white flies and gnats by preventing their eggs from hatching. It is a natural pesticide and does not 'hang around' for long.
 
Before I start the grow I completely empty the room and spray it down with "Home Defense". Then during the first 9 days of switching to 12/12 I spray down the plants with a Neem Oil wash (I would never spray anything after buds start forming) . So far, no bugs.
 
Never introduce clones from outside sources unless you're completely sure they're clean first, and also try to be equally careful about non-cannabis plants purchased from nurseries and brought into your house or regular garden. I got spider mites along with some clones that were a 'gift' from a 'friend' and it took me two years to get rid of them.
 
Howdy, some great advice so far, don't forget the fan to blow across plant and soil. Keeps fungus knats controlled, and gives you a stronger plant. Good luck! 😊
 
You could use organic repellents. Their pungent odor will keep the pests away.Cinnamon oil,clove oil and coriander oil have been used before as repellents without causing any damage to the plant. Different cannabis strains will have different reactions to the organic repellent so it is always good to test them before you apply it liberally. Controlling bugs can be really hard especially if you are growing them indoors. Make sure that you do not have bugs at home even in your garden so there is a less chance that your home would be infested.Here is a blog that I found that offered some tips on how to control bugs ( http://inthebackyard.ca/how-to-have-a-pest-free-garden/ )
 
Great idea Helen, welcome by the way.

Neem oil and concentrates (azdarachtin) are very popular preventive products. I use azatrol and sm90 alternating weekly in fairly weak concentration. I mix with water and apply as a foliar spray.

Predator insects are yet another way to keep your grow free of baddies. I'm not sure how practical it is though.
 
Hi hellen, welcome to the forum!!! That is a great article, and I got some really good ideas for my passiflora vines (outdoors)!
 
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