Top 7 Ways to Keep Pests Away from Marijuana Plants

Outdoors, Use Natural Predators for Pests

While there are plenty of pests that can do damage to marijuana plants, there are also some insects that can be incredibly beneficial. Ladybugs are one option that’s perfect for any marijuana garden outdoors. They tend to eat larvae and other pests in the garden, and they don’t mess with the marijuana plants at all. Growers who don’t have ladybugs can order them online, with costs for a hundred ladybugs often only being a few dollars. Once they arrive, simply release them in the garden. As long as there’s a food source for them, they’ll tend to stay.

Another option is to encourage more birds to be in the yard. Birds will eat insects and other tiny pests that could damage the marijuana plants. To attract more birds, try using a few birdhouses close to the plants as well as a bird feeder or two. Some birds do enjoy marijuana seeds, so be sure the seeds are protected if there are birds in the yard. This can be done by placing a bottle over each seed until they start to sprout, creating a cover with plastic hardware cloth so the birds won’t be able to reach the seeds, or germinating the seeds indoors and transplanting the seedlings. If the seeds are covered, make sure the cover is removed before the marijuana plants get too big.

Animal Urine Can be Effective

One idea that sounds a little strange but does work is to use animal urine to keep pests away. Animals like rabbits or deer have a great sense of smell and will actively avoid areas that may have bears, wolves, or other predators. Online, it’s possible to purchase a spray that smells like urine from common predators in the area. They may also be available in outdoor stores. Spray this around the yard to keep as many larger pests away from the yard as possible. The spray may need to be reapplied regularly, but it can be very effective.

Spray Repellants Around the Plants

While growers will want to avoid using harsh chemicals on the plants, there are other possibilities that can allow them to take advantage of strong and effective repellants. Permethrin is a highly effective repellant and doesn’t need to be sprayed on the plant to be effective. Instead, spray it in a ring around the plants about six feet away. This ensures none of it gets on the plant, but it will still keep pests from destroying the marijuana. With permethrin, any bugs that come into contact with it will die.

Other options include creating an organic repellant at home and spraying it in a circle around the plant to keep bugs away. Some of the top options for this include neem oil, garlic-based insecticides, and chili-based insecticides. Before making any insecticide, learn how to create it and how to stay safe while creating and using it. Though they’re organic, some homemade insecticides like the ones made using chili peppers can cause mild irritation if they come in contact with skin or eyes.

Customize Organic Repellants to Use on Plants

Spraying around the plants can be effective, but it might not be as effective as many growers would like. Instead, they might want to use something that can be sprayed on the plants or a combination of both to keep as many pests as possible away from the plants. Organic repellants can be made at home and used safely on marijuana plants, though it is important to test carefully before using any of these. This way, if there is any damage, it’s kept to a minimum. If the test is successful, the organic repellants can help keep many different pests away from the plants.

Cinnamon oil, clove oil, and oil made from coriander have all been proven to help keep pests away from marijuana plants. These have been tested to be successful without causing damage to plants, though it is still best to test a small area first as certain strains can be more sensitive than others. When making organic repellants from these oils, ensure they can be easily sprayed onto the plant. Then, spray the oil onto the plant regularly to ensure it continues to work well. These may only be mildly successful, so they should be used in conjunction with other pest control methods mentioned above for maximum effectiveness.

Final Thoughts

When growing outdoors, in California, Oregon, or Nevada, pests can easily and quickly destroy the entire marijuana crop you’re growing. In some cases, it can seem to happen overnight, especially if a larger animal finds out there are marijuana plants growing and decides to snack on them. However, there are natural ways to protect the plants without resorting to chemicals that can be dangerous when marijuana is consumed. Try out the tips here to see what works best in your American weed seed garden.