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The Most Common Cannabis Pests and Bugs on Cannabis

Written by Ed Rushford Jan 26 2022

Bugs on cannabis are some of the most common cannabis pests but not the only ones. Find out about all the insects and diseases that may affect bud crops below.

The risks of cannabis pests

If you are a cannabis cultivator, you have undoubtedly heard a lot about whiteflies, caterpillars and aphids. Numerous pests might harm your crops. The best strategy to deal with them is prevention, which includes being aware of the signs and, most importantly, learning how to eradicate them on time. With Premium Cultivars’ help, you’ll be able to spot and handle all of them with simplicity.

Are cannabis pests common?

When growing cannabis, it is normal for novice growers to encounter bugs. Establishing an optimal atmosphere helps prevent these frequent cannabis pests in many circumstances. Spider mites, aphids, caterpillars, and fungus gnats are common pests in cannabis cultivation.

Are bugs on cannabis plants a big problem?

Recognizing bugs on cannabis plants is something that every grower despises. You work so hard to maintain your plants safe from pests, but bugs will always find a way into the garden. Don’t be alarmed if you see pests in your grow room; they can be treated, especially if you catch the problem early. The first step is to determine which bugs are on your cannabis plants. Then you can devise a treatment that will cause the least amount of harm to your plants.

The different types of bugs on cannabis plants

Aphids 

The aphid is a tiny insect that ranges in size from 1-10mm and comes in various colors. It can be seen on the lower cannabis leaf surface and the plant’s stalk.

Cannabis aphids

It sucks the sap, causing defoliation and leaf yellowing. Aphids on cannabis plants are a fairly common pest, particularly if you’re growing cannabis outdoors.

Barnacle and Scale Insects

These unique insects remain still on your stems and under your leaves. Scale insects drain the life out of your plant’s stems and leaves, weakening it if the infestation becomes too severe.

Broad Mites

Broad mites on cannabis plant are so small that they are nearly impossible to detect with the naked eye. When you have broad mites, your leaf buds may be twisted, blistering, and “moist.” If your cannabis plant is in the blooming phase, the buds may turn brown and die.

Bud Rot

Cannabis bud rot strikes your fattest, most enormous buds just as harvest time approaches. The adjacent leaves frequently turn yellow as the first sign of bud rot.

Mold

Mold is a fungus that can harm cannabis plants if kept in humid and warm environments.

Cannabis Mold

If you have mold, even if you eliminate the damaged buds, it will most rapidly extend until you correct the humidity and maintain the buds dry.

Caterpillars and Inchworms

Caterpillars and inchworms require vegetation to build their cocoon. Therefore, they can devastate your crops in a short amount of time due to their insatiable appetite.

Crickets

Crickets will cheerfully nibble your cannabis plants and make tiny holes in the leaves. Mole crickets can be spotted digging around the roots of your plants.

Fungus Gnats

This insect enjoys damp environments and may generally be found at the base of plants, so check for it there. The most evident early indication is that you notice some of them flying close to your cannabis plants.

Grasshoppers

You may not recognize any symptoms when you only have one or two grasshoppers. But if your plants become invaded with them, you will notice heaps of spots where they have been chewing on your leaves.

Leafhoppers

These pests will eat your leaves, leaving brown or yellow patches behind. Leafhoppers on cannabis are more prone to attack your plants when the weather is dry because they seek water from the leaves.

Leaf miners

Leaf miners on cannabis are possibly the pickiest pest because it does not target all cannabis strains similarly. The larvae start to “burrow” holes about two weeks after laying eggs inside the leaves: this is the first apparent warning that you should act quickly against them.

Leaf septoria

Cannabis leaf septoria is also known as “yellow leaf spot.” This condition is caused by a fungus that damages cannabis plants and typically manifests itself in warm and wet conditions. The symptoms first occur on the plant’s lower leaves.

Mealybugs

These bright and furry insects like hot conditions and cannot survive in the cold. They have been observed growing and spreading evenly on a drying plant after harvest and leaving spots of what seems to be white mold. Find out more about preventing mealybugs on cannabis.

Planthoppers

Planthoppers can damage and contaminate cannabis, leaving behind an unusual cotton-like growth while sucking the life from your plants.

Root rot

Root rot in cannabis symptoms are frequently similar to soil-plant, significantly over-or under-watered. Your plants’ leaves will seem scorched, brown, yellow, or white.

Russet mites

The russet mites on cannabis are tricky to control because they are so tiny. Most growers do not see them until they have a large population.

Slugs and snails

Slugs and snails typically attack outdoor plants and have intense appetites. They move slowly and leave silvery mucus trails behind, causing significant harm to your crop.

Spider mites

This tiny insect, which prefers high humidity and potted plants, draws the sap from the leaves and quickly destroys the cannabis plant. A mature spider may take a million bites in less than a month. When the spiders are enough, they can sweep out an entire plantation in a single night. Learn more about spider mites on cannabis and stop them before they become a big problem.

Stink bugs

Stink bugs can squeeze the life out of buds and leaves, particularly enjoying eating seeds. They also have a horrible odor!

Thrips

Thrips on cannabis are little winged insects that rely on plant sap. It hides in the undersides of the leaves and inside the flowers, and it thrives in hot conditions.

Tobacco mosaic virus

The infection generates a unique pattern on the leaves, such as “mosaic”-like mottling and yellowing (hence the name). Find out more about the occurrence of the tobacco mosaic virus in cannabis plants.

Whiteflies

Whiteflies breed and multiply quickly. These White flies on cannabis are usually encountered on the undersides of leaves, producing eggs that develop into larvae. They consume the plant by sucking the sap from its leaves. These flies can also cause blush fungus or boldface.

White powdery mildew

White powdery mildew on cannabis plants manifests as spots on their leaves and stems. Lower leaves are the most commonly affected; however, mildew can appear on any above-ground plant section.

How to get rid of pests

Cannabis crops that aren’t protected from pests and pathogens are vulnerable to a wide range of issues. Cannabis growers may be proactive about pests by implementing pest-resistance methods.

  • Become familiar with cannabis pests and diseases so you can identify them.
  • Take a multifaceted pest control strategy.
  • Take precautionary measures in your cannabis cultivation procedures.
  • Use insecticides on your cannabis crop regularly.
  • As plant material enters the facility, inspect it.
  • Commit to using superior cannabis growing methods.

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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