Cannabis’Number 1 Pest
Spider mites are the most destructive threat to cannabis. Strictly speaking they are not insects, but arachnids. When mature they have no attennae, round or oval tiny bodies and 8 legs.
For inexperienced farmers they are tough to identify with the naked eye. They like warm, dry environments, preferably over 85 degrees. This means they're usually an inside pest, but they do occur outside from time to time.
What They Do
They tend to be found under the leaves. The eggs are laid by the females. They hatch quickly (a few days to a couple weeks).
The 6 legged larva feeds for a short time then molts into an 8 legged nymph. The nymph stage also feeds on the plant before molting into the adult mite. With a fast life cycle they are able to reproduce quickly and infestations can explode.
They suck sap and other nutrients out of the plant to feed. Bleeding off the nutrients can actually kill the plant if it's let go. This can lead to a total crop loss if left unattended.
You Know You Have Spider Mites When...
There are several signs to indicate that you have spider mites. White dots will appear on the top of the leaf. They also make fine webs that are visible to the eye. The webs sometimes appear if you mist the plants.
Misting the plants can expose webs early. The leaves will turn bronze and drop off if left untreated. If your eyesight is good enough you can see them, or you can use a magnifying glass.
How To Treat Spider Mites
Because of the short generational cycle the spider mite can do lots of damage. It's critical to do something about them as soon as they are identified. If you find them early they can be removed by hand. This doesn't always work, though, and takes a lot of time and effort.
Pesticide works more effectively. Its best to use multiple treatments to make sure you get rid of them. Apply the insecticide thouroughly, and get underneath the leaves. You don't want to spray insecticide on blooms, though.
You can also use a natural predator mite. These can be purchased by mail order. If only one plant looks infected try to remove it. Bag it or wrap it to prevent spreading the mites.
Soap and water are a traditional pest control tactic. Rubbing alcohol has also been used to combat spider mites. Miticides and pyrethrins can be employed and are very effective. Although not really bad for humans, pyrethrins are slightly toxic.
An Ounce of Prevention...
The best solution to mites is to prevent them in the first place. Don't provide a mite-friendly environment. Maintain the temperature under 85 degrees and over 50% humidity. Regular misting of the plants helps. Sterilize the grow room when you start. Maintain a clean grow room. Don't move directly from other gardens, indoors or out, to your own.
Hopefully this information will help gardeners understand spider mites better. Spider mites are a very common and pervasive pest. Prevention is the best approach because it avoids pesticides and crop loss.
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