There is nothing more annoying than uninvited guests infesting your plants. Aphids, spider mites or thrips can quickly spoil the fun of your grow. But don’t worry: with a few simple tricks for prevention and quick action in an emergency, you can stay in control.

🧹Cleanliness is a must

The best weapon against pests is a hygienic growing environment.

• Keep your tent and the space around it clean.
• Mop and vacuum regularly – mold spores and pest eggs won’t stand a chance.
• Always disinfect tools such as scissors before each cut (e.g. with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide).

👉 Sounds banal, but works wonders.

🦟 Beneficial insects instead of chemicals

You don’t have to reach for the poison syringe – nature has long since invented your helpers.

• Lacewing larvae:
  • Effective predators that target aphids, thrips and spider mites.
  • Simply buy a packet, hang it on the plants and the little helpers will do the rest.
• Nematodes:
  • Tiny nematodes that eat the larvae and eggs of pests in the soil.
  • Application: Mix the powder into the irrigation water and water as normal.
  • You only need to repeat this for acute infestations – a single application is sufficient as a preventative measure.

Aphids (source: https://www.cannaconnection.de/blog/18907-blattlaeuse-und-marihuana-praevention-identifikation-und-behandlung)

Thrips (source https://www.compo.de/ratgeber/krankheiten-schaedlinge/insektenbefall/thripse:)

Spider mites (source: https://www.hanfgartenshop.de/magazin/spinnmilben-auf-cannabispflanzen-verhindern)

Fungus gnats (source: https://www.royalqueenseeds.de/blog-wie-du-trauermuecken-davon-abhaeltst-deine-cannabispflanzen-zu-befallen-n345)

🟨 Control with yellow boards

Spotted an insect? No need to panic yet.

• Set up a yellow board.
• Observe whether it remains a loner or whether an infestation really develops.
• Individual insects may simply have strayed – a real infestation is indicated by repeated sightings.

🚨Act quickly in the event of an infestation

If you are sure that your plants are infested: react immediately!

• Early control prevents pests from multiplying explosively.
• Use your beneficial insects again (lacewings, nematodes) or other biological methods.
• Chemicals are only a last resort – and are almost always counterproductive in indoor growing.

🧾 Brief summary

Cleanliness in the tent is the best prevention. Rely on beneficial insects such as lacewing larvae and nematodes, monitor with yellow boards – and act immediately if an infestation is clearly recognizable.