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Thrips are one of the most common pests that can affect your cannabis plants. Here’s a guide on how to get rid of them quickly and effectively.
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Introduction
Thrips are tiny, winged insects that feed on the sap of plants. They can be a serious problem for cannabis growers, as they can cause damage to the leaves and flowers of the plant. Thrips can also transmit disease from one plant to another.
There are a number of ways to get rid of thrips on cannabis plants. You can use organic methods such as predatory mites or ladybugs, or you can use chemical pesticides. It is important to note that most chemical pesticides will also kill beneficial insects, so it is best to use them as a last resort.
What are thrips?
Thrips are tiny, winged insects that can be difficult to spot with the naked eye. They range in color from black to light brown and measure just 1/20 of an inch in length. These pests are a major problem for growers because they feed on plant sap, which can cause stunted growth, yellowing leaves and reduced yields. In extreme cases, thrips can even kill a plant.
Cannabis is especially susceptible to thrips because the bugs are attracted to the resin glands on the plant’s leaves. This makes them difficult to control with traditional pesticides, which is why it’s important to take proactive measures to prevent an infestation in the first place. The good news is that there are a few simple things you can do to keep thrips away from your plants.
-Start with clean grow room: Thrips can hitchhike into your grow room on other plants, so it’s important to start with a clean space. If you bring new plants into your grow room, inspect them carefully for thrips before adding them to your garden.
-Use yellow traps: Yellow sticky traps are a growing popular method for controlling thrips (and other pests). These traps are coated with a sticky substance that attracts and traps the insects. You can buy yellow sticky traps at most garden stores or online retailers.
-Encourage natural predators: There are a few different species of beneficial insects that prey on thrips, including ladybugs, lacewings and predatory mites. You can purchase these beneficial insects online or at some garden stores.
-Remove infested plants: If you find a plant that is infested with thrips, remove it from your grow room immediately. Thrips can spread quickly, so it’s important to isolate any plants that show signs of an infestation.
The life cycle of thrips
Thrips are tiny, winged insects that are attracted to cannabis plants in search of a meal. These pests puncture the surface of the plant in order to feed on the sap inside, which can cause extensive damage. In addition to the physical damage they cause, thrips can also transmit diseases from one plant to another, which can lead to serious problems for your crop.
The life cycle of thrips begins when the adults lay their eggs inside the buds of the plant. The eggs hatch and the larvae begin to feed, going through several stages of growth before emerging as adults. The adults then mate and lay more eggs, beginning the cycle anew. A single female can lay up to 200 eggs in her lifetime, so it is important to take action as soon as you see signs of thrips infestation.
There are a few different ways to get rid of thrips on cannabis plants. You can use chemical pesticides, but be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take care not to damage the plants. You can also try using natural predators such as ladybugs or green Lacewings. If you have a serious infestation, you may need to destroy all affected plants and start over with new ones.
The damage thrips cause to cannabis
Thrips are tiny, fast-moving insects that feeding by puncturing the surface of cannabis leaves and sucking out the contents. This feeding damage appears as small, dark spots on the leaves. If left unchecked, thrips can cause serious injury to a cannabis plant by stunting its growth, distorting its leaves, and reducing its yield. In addition to the physical damage they cause, thrips can also spread harmful viruses from plant to plant.
Why thrips are difficult to control
Once inside, they quickly begin to reproduce. A female can lay up to 50 eggs in her lifetime, and each egg hatches into a larva that will mature into an adult in about two weeks. The entire life cycle from egg to adult takes place on the plant, meaning that there are many opportunities for them to lay eggs and for the population to grow exponentially. Their quick reproductive cycle and their ability to spread rapidly make thrips difficult to control.
Cultural practices to prevent thrips
There are a few cultural practices that you can do to prevent thrips from ever becoming a problem in your cannabis garden. First, make sure to start with cleanliness. Thrips are attracted to dirty gardens, so keep your grow area clean and tidy. You should also avoid using any type of chemical insecticide in your grow room, as this can actually attract thrips.
Instead, focus on using physical barriers and exclusion techniques to keep thrips out. Install screens on all of your ventilation openings, and make sure that any doors or windows leading into your grow room are also screened. You can also use yellow sticky traps to trap and kill adult thrips before they have a chance to lay eggs.
Biological control of thrips
Biological control of thrips on cannabis can be achieved in a number of ways. One method is to encourage populations of beneficial predators and parasites. Ladybirds, lacewings, and predatory mites are all examples of predators that will help to keep thrips numbers under control.
Another method of biological control is to use entomopathogenic fungi. These are fungi that infect and kill insects. One example of an entomopathogenic fungi that can be used to control thrips is Beauveria bassiana. This fungi can be applied as a spray and will infect thrips that come into contact with it, leading to their death.
Thrips can also be controlled with nematodes. Nematodes are tiny worms that feed on insects. They can be applied as a biological control agent in the form of a spray. When they come into contact with thrips, they will enter the insect’s body and kill it from the inside out.
Biological control of thrips is often considered to be the most sustainable option as it does not require the use of chemicals. It is important to note that when using any type of biological control, care should be taken to only apply the infected material to areas where cannabis is growing. This is because some entomopathogenic fungi and nematodes can also infect other plant species.
Chemical control of thrips
There are many products on the market that will help you control thrips populations on your cannabis plants. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label and take care when applying any chemicals, especially around areas where children or pets may be present. Some products that may be effective include:
-Neem oil
-Insecticidal soap
-Spinosad
-Horticultural oil
-Imidacloprid
Conclusion
If you have thrips on your cannabis plants, there are several things you can do to get rid of them. Neem oil and insecticidal soaps are effective organic methods. You can also use chemical pesticides, but be sure to follow the instructions carefully to avoid harming your plants. Take measures to prevent thrips from returning, such as keeping your grow area clean and free of debris.
