Thrips in marijuana: What are they and how to prevent them?

Anyone who is in the world of cultivation knows that a grower's concerns go beyond the simple act of sowing and watering . Among the most common and potentially damaging challenges are pests, and thrips are one of the most important threats to consider.

That's why today at Grow Industry, we'll explain in detail what thrips are, how to identify them, and most importantly, how to prevent their appearance and eliminate them in case of infestation . Join us on this journey to protect your precious marijuana plants and ensure abundant and healthy harvests.

What are thrips in marijuana?

Thrips , those tiny winged insects that can go unnoticed by the naked eye, are actually a considerable threat to cannabis crops. These intruders can wreak havoc on marijuana plants, weakening them and reducing both their growth and flower production. They are, without a doubt, enemies to be reckoned with for any grower . But what makes them so problematic?

Thrips , belonging to the Thysanoptera family , are characterized by their tiny size of just 1 to 2 mm, although in some species they can reach 6 mm. These insects can be white, gray, red, yellow or brown , which makes them easily camouflaged among the leaves and shoots of marijuana plants. Their reproductive capacity and relatively short life cycle make them a persistent and rapidly spreading threat .

Phases and life cycles of thrips in cannabis

Thrips go through different life stages during their life cycle , from the egg to the adult phase , each with its distinctive characteristics and impact on marijuana plants.

Phases of the trip:

• Egg: Thrips eggs are tiny, yellowish in color and are embedded in plant tissue. They take 3 to 5 days to hatch.
• Larva: At this stage, thrips are pearl-gray in color, which turns ochre-colored as they develop. For about 8 days, they actively feed by biting the leaves of plants.
• Pupa: During this stage, thrips usually move to the substrate and go through two stages, pre-nymph and nymph. They do not feed while in the soil and complete this phase in about 4 or 5 days.
• Adult: Once they reach adulthood, thrips return to the crop to feed, reproduce and lay eggs. The lifespan of a male varies between 30 and 50 days, while a female can live between 40 and 75 days.

How to detect and prevent the appearance of thrips in marijuana?

Detecting the presence of thrips in your marijuana plants is crucial to take preventive measures and avoid serious damage to your crop. Here are some strategies to identify and prevent their appearance:

• Constant observation: Regularly inspect your marijuana plants, especially the tops of the stems and the undersides of the leaves, where thrips tend to congregate.
• Sticky traps: Place yellow or blue sticky traps in your crop. These traps are effective at catching adult thrips and help monitor the presence of the pest.
• Humidity control: Thrips thrive in humid environments. Keep the humidity in your crop under control to make it difficult for them to reproduce and survive.
• Integrated pest management: Implements a comprehensive approach to pest management that includes the use of natural enemies, such as predatory mites, that feed on thrips and help keep their population under control.
• Avoid excess nitrogen: Excess nitrogen in the soil can attract thrips . Make sure not to overfeed your plants with nitrogen-rich fertilizers.
• Preventive products: Use specific products, such as Cannacure or Leaf Coat, which form a film on the surface of the leaves, making it difficult for thrips to establish themselves and cause damage to the plants.

Treatments and remedies to combat thrips in marijuana plants

Fighting thrips on your marijuana plants is essential to protect your crop and ensure healthy and abundant harvests. Here are some treatment options and remedies to eliminate this pest:

• Biological insecticides: Biological insecticides, such as organic pyrethrins, are effective in controlling thrips during the growth phase. These products contain natural ingredients that attack insects without harming the environment or plant health.
• Chemical insecticides: During the growing stage, you can opt for chemical insecticides to combat thrips. Products such as Solfac Automatic Forte are effective in eliminating the pest and preventing its spread in indoor crops.
• Stimulating products: Combine the use of insecticides with products that stimulate the plants' natural defences, such as Bac Plant Vitality Plus or Cinaprot. These products strengthen the plants and help them recover from the stress caused by thrips.
• Natural predators: Introduce natural predators of thrips into your crop, such as Amblyseius cucumeris or Orius laevigatus. These organisms effectively control the thrips population and help keep the pest under control naturally.
• Observation and cleaning: Regularly inspect your plants for thrips and manually remove any insects you find. You can also clean the crop to eliminate potential breeding sites and reduce the presence of the pest.

In conclusion, thrips are a common pest in marijuana crops that can cause significant damage to your plants if not properly controlled. It is essential to be aware of the symptoms of infestation and take preventative measures to protect your crop.