Organic Cannabis Pest Control

Like any other plant you grow in your garden, Cannabis is attacked at different times by various bugs. Some of these bugs (like aphids) aren't too serious and are easily remedied. Others, like the dreaded Tobacco Budworm, are a huge pain in the arse and can seriously hurt your crop. Consider your plants' health in a human context: If you are run down, scraped up, eating poorly and constantly being stressed, you're more likely to get sick than if you are fully fed, well-rested, and having a good laugh every day. Likewise, even chump-change pests like aphids will have an affect on your plants' overall health and make your plant more susceptible to things like powdery mildew, botrytis and the dreaded fusarium wilt. So do your best to make sure that no pests go ignored.

Now, let me introduce you to the pests I've encountered here in Southern California and what organic solutions I've used to keep them in check. I'll also show you the good predatory bugs I've found so you'll know to let them be...they're fighting the good fight!

How to Spray Cannabis for Bugs - A few very important things to remember

When you're spraying your cannabis for pests you need to remember a few very, very important items. Not following these guidelines can spell trouble for you down the road and we don't want that. Did I mention these were important?
  • Do not spray your plants with anything, including plain water, in the late afternoon, dusk, or evening hours.
Adding moisture on your plants is a recipe for mold and powdery mildew. The sun and wind evaporate water from your plants, but if you spray them too late in the day the water will just sit there all night, inviting problems. You do not want mold or PM growing in your buds. Avoid mold and PM by spraying in the early to mid-morning.
  • Do not spray your plants when bees are active in your garden.
Most of our organic sprays contain this same message: do not spray when bees are active. Unfortunately organic sprays like Spinosad are toxic to bees, and bees are our friends. If you're spraying in the early morning you should be fine.
  • Do not spray your plants in direct sunlight.
Spraying your plants for bugs in direct sunlight could result in your leaves being burned by the magnified sun ray, and most of our organic sprays break down when wet in UV so it would be pointless anyways. The same goes for plain water, which is unnecessary anyways. All the water your plants need is in that lovely organic soil you mixed.
  • If your plants have buds, avoid spraying them on very humid days
When the weather is very humid (over about 65rH) your flowering plants will already be doing their damndest to keep mold from growing inside their moist buds. You don't want to add more water to the buds on a humid day because the water will not evaporate. This can be a tricky one to manage if you're on an established pest spray routine so use your best judgment.

Once you've got a few summertime grows under your belt you'll be able to flex within these rules. But right now you're growing cannabis for the first time and my job is to get you to the finish line so please do your best to follow them.

Cannabis Pests

Now, let me introduce you to the pests I've encountered here in Southern California and what organic solutions I've used to keep them in check.
  1. Mildly Damaging Pests: Aphids, Thrips and Leafhoppers
  2. Severely Damaging Pests: Spider Mites and Budworms
Budworm hiding on Cannabis plant
Do you see the asshole budworm on this cannabis plant?

Predatory Bugs for Cannabis

These bugs are the good guys that will help protect your marijuana plants. Don't kill them, they are your friends!

Recommended Organic Sprays for Cannabis Pests

This information is already contained in the Cannabis Pest subsection but I'll put it here as well for reference.
Neem Oil - Essential
For 2-3 plants, mix this into a quart spray bottle and hit the entire plant, including the branches and trunk. Begin spraying when your plant is about 2-3 weeks old (once it's strong enough to hold water on top of its leaves). Continue spraying weekly until buds begin to grow. Don't get Neem Oil spray on your buds as it could make them smell and taste like Neem.
Monterey Garden BT Spray - Essential
I use this regularly once buds start growing. Use once a week to keep the budworms at bay. A quart spray bottle will cover 2-3 plants.
Monterey Garden Insect Spray w/ Spinosad - Optional
A good all-around spray but Spinosad harms bees so I only use this if I see Thrips, Aphids or Leafhoppers beginning to colonize my plant. Still, this is good to have on hand just in case.
Azamax - Optional
I use this only if I encounter Spider Mites. Mix a half-teaspoon into a quart spray bottle and spray weekly.