Preventing Bugs, Mites, and Other PestsThe biggest tip for preventing bugs and any other infestation in your grow op is to wipe down and sanitize the grow area before the plants are there. This is a common mistake that many new growers make when setting up there new grow stations. It is vital to the health of the plants that the room they are growing in has been properly cleaned beforehand. Another great tip that many growers are oblivious of is that it is not healthy to ‘mulch’ dead leaves into the soil of the plant. Unlike lawns, marijuana plants will need all of the dead and unwanted leaves completely taken away and disposed of. Mulching dead leaves into the soil may seem ‘organic’ but in fact it attracts a whole array of different types of bugs, mites, and other pests that will only cause harm to your plants and reduce the effectiveness of your bud.
The earliest signs of bugs are that there will be little tiny white dots moving around on the surface of the soil or on the plant itself. These bugs live mostly under the soil and they eat the tiny hairs off of the roots of the marijuana plant. This is not good for the plants and must be taken care of immediately. If not taken care of, than these bugs will grow and work their way up the stock of the plant ultimately eating the bud. Make sure that the growing area stays completely clean in order to prevent this and if this does start to occur than contact your local garden specialty store immediately. There you will be able to find bug repellants and poisons that are not harmful to your plant but will totally eradicate all of the pests. Be sure that you follow the labels directions as well before applying the pesticide to your plants. Another important tip for growers is to be aware of your personal hygiene while handling the plants. Be sure that you have not recently just come in from outside and may be possibly carrying bugs in your clothes when checking on the progress of the plants. For new growers it is recommended to remove dirty clothing and wash your hands before handling your plants. It has also been discovered that the oils found naturally in human skin and hands can also have a devastating effect on the amount of THC a plant has if handled too much at one time. |