I thought I'd share the things I do to keep my grow room "bug-free".
If you grow long enough, you'll encounter bugs at some point. "But I grow in Hydro!!" I used to say. Unfortunately, even hydro grows are not immune to bugs.
Everyone has to figure out their own plan for keeping bugs out and decide where to draw the line when it comes to things like pesticides. Before using some of the things I describe below, make sure you understand the relevant warnings and are comfortable with it's usage.
That said, here are the steps I take to keep bugs out of my grow room:
Important note: I owe a good part of this preventative knowledge to other growers here. Mr Smith (mosquito dunks, bleach in drains, no pest strips), Bassman (Home Defense Max) and Jandre2k3 (Diatemaceous earth), just to name a few. They may be good sources for questions on bug battling too - it happens if you grow long enough. Even if you are really careful, and yes - even if you grow in hydro!
If you grow long enough, you'll encounter bugs at some point. "But I grow in Hydro!!" I used to say. Unfortunately, even hydro grows are not immune to bugs.
Everyone has to figure out their own plan for keeping bugs out and decide where to draw the line when it comes to things like pesticides. Before using some of the things I describe below, make sure you understand the relevant warnings and are comfortable with it's usage.
That said, here are the steps I take to keep bugs out of my grow room:
- I spray the perimeter of the grow room periodically with "Home Defense Max", which does seem to create a barrier they don't like to cross, at least on the ground.
- I also put a "mosquito dunk" in my water reservoirs. These are non-toxic and safe for birds, fish, plants, people, pets, etc. However, it kills fungus gnat larvae, and will eventually wipe them out. Fungus gnats are probably the most common pest most growers face.
- I keep a Hot Shot "No Pests" strip in the grow room. It releases and odorless vapor that bugs hate. It's supposed to be safe for humans as long as you aren't in the room for more than 3 hours a day. I've heard that it's especially good at keeping spider mites away, and I can say that I never find live bugs in the grow room since starting to use it, but I've found dead ones near it.
- I use Silica as an additive with my nutrients. It makes plants sturdier, more resistant to heat, and bugs hate it. I also use a product called "Zone" by Dutch Masters. It's primarily a fungicide, but it's also supposed to discourage pests to some degree.
- I sprinkle a little diatomaceous earth on the floor of the tent. It's soft fluffy white safe, powder to humans, but it cuts bugs up like razors and dehydrates them to crispiness. Mwuah, ah ah. Diatomaceous earth - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Make sure there is no standing water exposed... anywhere. Consider pooring bleach down any nearby drains when you are treating/spraying for bugs. Fungus gnats, for example, can breed in a thimble-full of water. Don't over-water plants or leave standing water in your plants or run-off trays. Again, mosquito dunks in any water reservoirs.
- Lastly, on my last grow I used Sierra Natural Sciences "SNS 209" as part of my nutrient program for a few weeks. It contains natural plant oils, and it's supposed to make the plants start to be unappealing to pests - you're giving them another tool to defend themselves with. (I'm skipping it this round, as I appear to have pests controlled at the moment).
Important note: I owe a good part of this preventative knowledge to other growers here. Mr Smith (mosquito dunks, bleach in drains, no pest strips), Bassman (Home Defense Max) and Jandre2k3 (Diatemaceous earth), just to name a few. They may be good sources for questions on bug battling too - it happens if you grow long enough. Even if you are really careful, and yes - even if you grow in hydro!
Thank you for taking time and sharing.
thanks:
