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Broad Mites on Cannabis Plants

Written by Ed Rushford Feb 22 2022

Broad mites on cannabis can be extremely destructive. These cannabis pests can be a real problem if left unchecked and allowed to proliferate. Considering this, read on below to find out how to treat and prevent the problem of broad mites on cannabis plants.

How to identify broad mites on cannabis plant

Broad mites are the worst when it comes to pest problems and cannabis plants. These tiny mites are nearly hard to see with the human eye. They are, however, small and powerful enough to devastate entire gardens. Furthermore, the symptoms of these mites are similar to those of vitamin shortages or pH imbalances, making detection even more difficult. Yellowing foliage and stems, curling and drooping leaves, and stunted growth are typical signs of russet and broad mites. Foliage infested with these mites may appear glossy or damp, while buds will darken and eventually die. If left untreated, mites will continue to spread and reproduce, eventually sapping an entire plant.

Broad Mites on Leaves

With that knowledge alone, it’s easy to understand why broad mite identification or early warning indications would be vital for any farmer to be aware of. Premium Cultivars has created a complete reference to cannabis broad mites so that you may be informed and escape the harm they can do to your plants.

What causes broad mites on cannabis?

Broad mites lay their eggs on the bottom of the young leaves of cannabis plants. This is where they live and consume, leaving poisonous saliva behind that causes deformities and slows the growth of cannabis plants. Russet mites, also known as Aceria anthocoptes, are a species of microscopic mites that can harm cannabis plants.

How to get rid of broad mites on cannabis?

Neem Oil

Neem is a natural oil advised for broad mite management to stay compliant or within organic standards. This method is highly effective and can be regularly applied as a foliar spray; however, if used inside, keep your light distance in mind to avoid burning from oil residue.

Get rid of any known toxic plant residues

Parts of the already affected plant should be carefully removed and, if feasible, discarded. This will significantly minimize the number of bugs and assist the remainder of your plant.

Insecticidal soaps

Insecticidal soaps, like oils, are suitable for your plants and can be beneficial when combined with other treatments. Unlike certain insecticides, they are safe to use during the flowering stage.

Essentria IC3

This environmentally friendly pesticide is a blend of organic horticulture oils that are safe for humans and plants. It is frequently marketed as a “bed bug killer,” but when plants are treated regularly, it can be helpful against broad mites. Unfortunately, it is only effective on the plant for 8-12 hours, so you will need to apply it every day or combine it with other solutions. Pay close attention to the instructions. To uniformly spray all of the leaves, you’ll need a mister.

Predator mites

Mites vs. other mites are perhaps the most natural alternative and add an extra elimination layer. Some predatory mites, such as Neoseiulus, enjoy eating broad mites. Adding additional predators to your plants can help reduce broad mite populations. However, it is insufficient to solve the problem on its own, and sadly, many of the other therapies can also kill predatory mites.

Heat

Broad mites dislike temperatures above 32°C. Some gardeners will eliminate them by immersing tiny plants or cuts in hot water (40°C) for 10-20 minutes.

AgroMagen

This pesticide is a rare yet practical approach for killing broad mites on cannabis plants. You will also need to spray multiple times, and this is best paired with at least one other treatment.

Avid

Avid miticide is a powerful product with harsh ingredients that are pretty expensive, yet it can sometimes do the job when nothing else would. This is a systemic pesticide, which means it kills pests by penetrating the inside of plant tissue. As a result, it should not be utilized during the blossoming period. Many growers, however, claim that this is the only thing that consistently works for them. Use Avid only as prescribed and as a last option.

Forbid

Forbid miticide is similar to Avid in that it is built of strong materials with harsh chemicals and is similarly costly. This is a systemic pesticide, which means it kills pests by penetrating the inside of plant tissue. Consequently, you should only apply this pesticide a few weeks before the flowering period begins. Many growers, however, indicate that this is the only thing that regularly works for them. Use Forbid only as recommended and as a last resort!

Diatomaceous Earth

It is essential fossil dust that may be placed on top of your soil and anyplace else in your room. This powder-like substance is not harmful to mammals or plants but highly sharp at the microscopic level. On direct contact, it will rip and dehydrate broad mites. When appropriately applied, this will not get rid of an infestation, but it will prevent control and slow things down. When it comes to broad mites, you should use every tool at your disposal.

Dealing with broad mites outdoors

If you are already infected with a broad mite infection outside, you must act quickly. After determining that you have these mites on your plants, the first thing you should do is remove the affected sections. This will lower the population and prevent it from spreading to the remainder of the plant and other plants nearby.

broad mites damage

After eliminating the infected parts of your plant, you must begin treatment by spraying with insecticidal products up to 3-4 times per week or even daily, depending on the severity of the infestation. Note that spraying with the lights on can cause your cannabis plants to burn, so spray when the lights are off.

How to get rid of broad mites on cannabis?

If you see any of broad mites’ symptoms in your plants, you must determine the core cause of your problem as soon as possible. Closely inspect the afflicted sections of your plants with at least 60x magnification to detect the mites. Remember, those mite infestation symptoms are comparable to nutritional shortages and pH abnormalities. As a result, you should be sure that you are dealing with mites before beginning therapy. Once you’ve determined that mites are to blame, it’s time to cure your plants. Here are a few possible treatments for broad mites on cannabis plants.

Stop broad mites before it becomes a problem

Whenever it comes to handling plant pests, prevention is always preferable to treatment. As a result, always ensure that your plants grow in a healthy environment with adequate ventilation/circulation and the appropriate temperature/humidity levels. Furthermore, monitor your plants frequently and swiftly act if you notice any indications of stress. When mite infestations are detected early, they are significantly easier to control.

Ed Rushford

Ed Rushford’s impact on cannabis growing is undeniable. Though he tends to focus primarily on 2 areas, plant training techniques and dealing with disease, pests, and other problems, he has offered many insights into how cannabis plants live and grow. That’s not to say that Ed is unfamiliar with the complete life cycle of cannabis, from seed to harvest, but he uses his widespread knowledge to hone in on the minutia and niche areas of growing cannabis. Ed’s goal is to spread knowledge and allow for everyone to become better growers. About this Author

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