Top 7 Ways to Keep Pests Away from Marijuana Plants

When growing weed seeds indoors, pests aren’t too much of a problem because the entire environment is controlled, and pests are easily kept away. Outdoors, however, pests can be a huge problem. From small insects to larger animals or other people, cultivated pot plants can attract just about anything. Any pests can destroy a crop, leaving the grower without a harvest to enjoy.

Plenty of pest control methods are available, but harsh chemical products may not be desired for a plant that will be consumed later. The chemicals could still be left on the plant and could be dangerous when the marijuana is cured and consumed. Instead, there are plenty of safer repellants and other techniques designed to keep pests away from plants. From bugs to larger animals and even humans, the following pest control methods are known to be effective and safe.

Sterilize Soil and Add Good Fertilizers

While the soil outdoors is ready for planting, it does pose one problem. The soil is unsterilized, so it could contain eggs or larvae of pests. After planting, the pests can become apparent and can damage or destroy the plant, especially when it is small and more susceptible to damage. Instead, it may be a good idea to sterilize the soil from your Colorado or Pennsylvania garden before being used to pot your seedlings, whether they’ll be indoor or outdoor. Sterilization is easy to do by just cooking the soil, though there are other methods that can work well.

To sterilize the soil, it needs to be cooked in the oven. The soil should be cooked until the internal temperature is around 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Simply spread the soil in a baking pan, then place it in the oven and let it cook, checking the internal temperature regularly. It can take around 30 to 45 minutes for the soil to reach the right temperature, but make sure it doesn’t exceed 190 degrees. This could potentially cause serious issues with the soil. In general, reaching these temperatures can kill off any pests, weeds, seeds, and even molds inside the soil.

Use Companion Planting Methods

Many people who already grow vegetables will be familiar with companion planting. Some plants naturally grow well together as they can help keep pests and predators away from the other plants. With marijuana, the following companion plants can be an excellent addition to the garden.