Picture this: you're observing your cannabis plant, and suddenly spot insects hopping around. It's as if they're engaged in a hopping contest on your soil. Is this a cause for concern? Absolutely.
Jumping insects are often springtails, which may not directly harm your cannabis plant but they’re still bad news. Their indirect effects can still be significant. Here's all the information you need to know about these critters.
What are Springtails?
While we frequently discuss pests like spider mites, fungus gnats, and caterpillars there's another troublemaker to watch out for: springtails. These small wingless insects belong to the Collembola order and their presence in the soil could spell trouble for your plant at times.
Measuring no than 5-6 mm long, they come in shades of black, gray, or white. With three pairs of legs at their disposal, they navigate through soil and hydroponic systems with agility. Springtails are known for their leaping abilities, which is why they are referred to as Springtails — a fitting name that highlights their unique way of getting around.
These tiny creatures thrive in hot environments, and they find cannabis particularly inviting, especially if you reside in tropical or humid areas. While they don't pose a direct threat to cannabis plants, they can still pose challenges for your greenery.
The good news is that springtails are not harmful to humans or plants as they do not sting, bite, or spread diseases. While their presence may signal high moisture issues and may not be visually appealing, they do not pose a risk to human health.
How to Spot Springtails on Cannabis Plants?
Recognizing springtails is important if you want to eliminate them. Despite being harmless to humans, these minuscule insects can reproduce and potentially harm your plants if left unattended. Here's how you can spot springtails:
1. Appearance
Springtails are insects that typically measure between 0.25 and 6 millimeters (1/16 inch) when fully grown. However, they begin as nymphs, often barely visible to the naked eye due to their minute size. Despite this, they can be spotted without magnification especially when they gather together.
2. Group Behavior
One of the characteristics of springtails is their inclination to congregate in numbers, forming clusters reminiscent of miniature fabric patches. Groups of these creatures are often spotted on the surface of soil or growing mediums where there’s too much moisture.
3. Jumping Around
One interesting behavior that sets springtails apart is their ability to jump. When disturbed, these creatures can swiftly propel themselves into the air using an appendage beneath their abdomen called a furcula. This jumping behavior helps them evade threats and unfavorable conditions making it a key characteristic for identification.
4. Thrive in Moist Conditions
Springtails prefer moist environments and thrive in humid areas where the soil has ample moisture. You can commonly find them near water bodies, reservoirs, or in soil. If you see springtails gathering around water sources or in soil it's an indicator that the soil is just too soggy.
To spot springtails it's important to observe the surface of the soil where moisture tends to collect. Keep an eye out for groups or swarms of bugs moving quickly or jumping when disturbed. You can also opt to use a magnifying glass or microscope to look at these insects.
Why Are Springtails Problematic for Cannabis?
Springtails aren't interested in feasting on your cannabis plant. Instead, think of them as small cleaners happily munching on decomposing matter in the soil. Your plant is generally safe from their eating habits. Luckily you don't need to worry about getting bitten or catching diseases from them since they don't carry any diseases or viruses.
However, they can be somewhat bothersome for cannabis cultivators. One reason is that they might start competing with the roots of your cannabis plants for nutrients and space, potentially affecting your plant's growth.
Secondly, as they consume algae, fungi, and decaying matter, they unintentionally compress the soil. Additionally, they may attract pests to your cannabis plants, such as mites and thrips. This could worsen the existing issue.
Finally, they might leave behind insect bodies in the flower buds. No one desires that outcome — not you, not the user, not us.
How to Get Rid of Springtails on Cannabis?
Wondering how to eliminate springtails from your cannabis plants? Now that you can recognize these pests on your plants, let's explore methods to remove them once and for all. Check out some of the tips for getting rid of springtails.
1. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a naturally occurring compound with a molecular formula of H2O2 that closely resembles water. Although pure hydrogen peroxide has a blue tint, it is usually diluted to resemble water but with slightly higher viscosity.
Despite the water-like appearance hydrogen peroxide has, its uses range from being a household remedy for minor cuts and scrapes, due to its antiseptic properties, to functioning as an oxidizing agent. At the extreme end of the spectrum, concentrated hydrogen peroxide can even be used as rocket fuel.
Hydrogen peroxide is incredibly useful for cleaning the growing medium, especially when dealing with growth problems or getting it ready for a new round of plants. Its ability to disinfect effectively comes from its antimicrobial properties, which help get rid of pathogens that could harm the plants.
Pests can be a problem for cannabis plants, causing issues from minor annoyances to serious damage or even plant death. One effective way to deal with this is by using hydrogen peroxide to repel pests like springtails.
By diluting it and spraying it on the plant, hydrogen peroxide can act as a defense against cannabis pests such as springtails and can even destroy pest eggs on contact. However, remember that while hydrogen peroxide is safer than pesticides and doesn't harm plants or people, it might drive away beneficial insects if they're around in the garden.
If you're wondering how to use hydrogen peroxide to get rid of springtails on your cannabis plants, there are two methods you can try.
Foliar Spray
The first method involves using hydrogen peroxide as a spray, which works well against fungi, pests, and bacteria. To make the solution, mix a tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide with a cup of water.
Use a mister to make sure you cover the leaves or affected areas thoroughly for the best results and store any leftover solution in a container that protects it from light.
Soil Drench
Another option is to apply hydrogen peroxide to the soil as a drenching treatment, which can help combat pests or root rot.
When watering the plant with the hydrogen peroxide mix, use the amount as you would for a spray. For treating root rot, one application might be enough and to get rid of pests completely, you may need to apply it twice a week.
Things to Remember When Using Hydrogen Peroxide
While hydrogen peroxide has benefits, you should prevent it from harming other beneficial organisms. The broad-spectrum effects of hydrogen peroxide could harm beneficial microbes in the soil or growing medium over time, especially for soil-based growers. So, remember that hydrogen peroxide is a band-aid solution. It does not address underlying root problems. Instead of trying to solve the symptoms, you must figure out the root cause and fix it for your plant's long-term health.
Store hydrogen peroxide in a place away from light sources to prevent it from degrading quickly. Dark-colored airtight containers are best for storage.
Due to its explosive nature, do not heat hydrogen peroxide as it can cause explosions. It’s literally rocket fuel but diluted. Of course, it’s dangerous only if you heat concentrated hydrogen peroxide. Still, you don’t want to apply heat to even diluted solutions. It can be problematic especially when it reaches its boiling point.
Always wear rubber gloves when handling hydrogen peroxide as it can irritate or burn the skin. If exposed, rinse with water immediately and seek help if needed.
We don’t need to say this but keep it out of children's and pets' reach.
2. Neem Oil
Neem oil, extracted from the Azadirachta tree has been used for ages as a solution known for its effectiveness in controlling pests, especially in the cultivation of cannabis. It is obtained by grinding and pressing the seeds and fruits of the tree, which means it’s a pesticide that's free from chemicals.
While some producers may use solvents during extraction, the purity of press-extracted oil is often preferred. Just like you prefer cold-pressed oils with minimal processing for consumption, using cold-pressed oil may be even more effective than using highly processed ones. Apart from its benefits in gardening, neem oil is also valued for its healing properties. It can be used to treat bacterial and fungal infections.
The power of neem oil against springtails lies in its ability to disrupt their feeding habits and reproduction cycles. Its key active ingredient, Azadirachtin, inhibits insect growth and egg-laying processes while also interfering with their mating behaviors.
Although neem oil may not instantly eliminate springtails or other pests upon contact, its repellent nature helps in controlling their numbers. It targets over 200 pest species, including aphids, spider mites, and fungus gnats. Neem oil works well as a spray on plant leaves. But it can also be used as a soil treatment for pest management.
DIY Neem Oil Preparation
Creating your neem oil solution at home ensures high potency and purity while giving you control over the quality of ingredients used. Mix cold-pressed oil with water using organic soap or silica as emulsifiers. Combine the oil with water and make sure to blend thoroughly before storing it in a dark airtight container for effectiveness.
Tips for Using Neem Oil to Combat Springtails
When using neem oil on cannabis plants, be cautious to prevent any reactions. Perform a patch test before application. This will tell you whether you’ve prepared the solution correctly, If there’s too much oil floating around, the leaves will not be able to breathe.
Use dedicated gardening spray bottles for precise distribution. Apply neem oil strategically, focusing on areas under the leaves ensuring coverage without oversaturation.
For even better results, apply neem oil preventively during the vegetative stage as a foliar spray once weekly. Avoid spraying buds or treating seedlings with oil; consider applying it at night to enhance effectiveness and minimize light-related issues.
Do not apply oil during extreme temperature conditions or when plants are stressed due to nutrient imbalances or overfeeding. Stop using oil at least three weeks before harvesting to maintain the bud's natural flavor profile.
If you need to explore other options you can consider using remedies such as horticultural oils, alcohol and water mixtures, insecticidal soaps, or diatomaceous earth to deal with pest problems while maintaining the quality of the buds.
3. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth (DE) showcases the impact of time and nature. It comes from the preserved remains of marine creatures called diatoms that thrived in oceans and freshwater sources millions of years ago.
These diatoms gathered on the ocean floor over time forming deposits in their silica-based shells. Over 30 million years, these deposits transformed into a type of sedimentary rock.
The discovery of DE’s properties dates back to the 19th century when German farmer Peter Kasten stumbled upon this ivory-colored substance while digging a well in northern Germany in 1836. Since then, DE has become an incredible resource with applications across industries from industrial to horticultural sectors.
In short, diatomaceous earth presents an environmentally friendly approach to dealing with insect infestations without resorting to harmful chemicals that could damage plants or ecosystems. Its makeup makes it a potent solution for combating insects such as springtails, providing a substitute for conventional insecticides.
In contrast to chemicals, pests are unable to build up immunity to diatomaceous earth establishing it as a dependable approach for pest management. The reason why DE works as an insecticide is because of its special properties.
Diatomaceous earth, with its absorbent nature, targets insects by messing up their exoskeletons. When it touches them, DE sucks out the fats from the waxy layer of the insect's exoskeleton, disrupting its structure.
This important layer that helps control water loss gets messed up, causing evaporation. This leads to pests like springtails dehydrating and dying off, effectively getting rid of them from the area.
However, you should be aware that while diatomaceous earth can be effective against some pests with soft scales, they may be completely ineffective against others. You can purchase certain DE mixes with prickly diatoms that are more effective since they can cut into mollusk skin to control them. In addition, it won’t work if the soil is wet, so make sure the soil is dry before applying it.
4. Beneficial Pests
When it comes to springtails, predatory mites can be your go-to solution. These small but helpful creatures such as Hypoaspis miles or Hypoaspis aculeifer are the warriors of the soil. They are commonly employed to combat fungus gnats and have a list of targets that include springtails. The best part? These mites tirelessly pursue their prey throughout their lifespan.
To use them, simply scatter them on the soil. They will immediately begin their task of tracking down those springtails and putting an end to their mischief. It's akin to having your team of pest control experts in your cultivation space.
5. Beneficial Nematodes
Beneficial nematodes are little worms that serve as a natural solution for controlling various soil pests like springtails. They occur naturally in soil and are commonly used in gardening and pest control methods.
Essentially, beneficial nematodes are predatory organisms that actively target and infect the larvae of soil-dwelling pests, including springtails. Once introduced into the soil, these nematodes actively pursue their prey entering their bodies and releasing bacteria that eliminate the host insect within 24 to 48 hours. The nematodes then feed on them and reproduce inside the pest increasing their numbers while continuing to search for more hosts, effectively reducing the springtail population in the soil.
Applying beneficial nematodes to the soil is pretty easy. You need to just apply a solution containing millions of these organisms into the soil. And, like other insecticides, you can use it while watering the plants.
However, pay careful attention to the manufacturer's instructions as the soil temperatures have to be conducive to their activity, between 55°F and 85°F (13°C and 29°C). For example, apply nematodes in the evening or on days when the sunlight isn't too bright for maximum efficiency. You need to prevent the organisms from getting exposed to bright sunlight as it can diminish their efficiency.
Also, make sure that the soil is adequately moist but not waterlogged since nematodes rely on moisture for survival and movement through the soil.
One advantage of using beneficial nematodes is that they are eco-friendly, so they are safe for both humans and other pets around you. Also, unlike chemical pesticides that can harm friendly or beneficial organisms like ladybugs or other microbes in the soil, beneficial nematodes specifically target pest larvae like springtails, so you won't render the soil useless.
Another benefit is that once beneficial nematodes establish themselves in the soil, they work for a long time, so you can rest assured that your plants are protected against pests like springtails and many others, reducing the need to use other types of insecticides or pesticides.
However, make sure you purchase these beneficial nematodes from a trustworthy source to ensure they work properly. You can also integrate beneficial nematodes with other types of pest management to increase efficiency.
6. Pyrethrin
Pyrethrin-based sprays are perhaps one of the best chemical solutions you can use to fight against many pests, including springtails. Sourced from chrysanthemum flowers, pyrethrin interferes with insects' nervous systems upon contact, causing paralysis and eventual demise.
Pyrethrin-based sprays feature pyrethrins as their primary component. When you apply it to the roots or soil of cannabis plants, pyrethrin disrupts the nervous system of springtails, paralyzing them.
One advantage of using pyrethrin is that, unlike other insecticides that work slowly, it works pretty quickly to control springtail populations. You can purchase either concentrated versions and dilute them yourself or go for diluted versions and use them as is.
Needless to say, you must follow the manufacturer's instructions when using them. Apply the spray thoroughly on affected plants and soil focusing on areas where springtails are most common. You may need to repeat the applications for eradicating the pests, especially with severe infestations.
Also, remember that timing matters here. Use it when springtails are most active, especially during summer and spring.
However, one con of using pyrethrin is that it can be harmful if you ingest it. Also, you can feel some irritation if it comes in contact with the skin or eyes. Therefore, it's extremely important to wear gloves and goggles. Avoid spraying in windy conditions to prevent drift. Make sure your pets and children aren't around when you're using it.
We mentioned that pyrethrin works quickly, but one disadvantage is that its residual effectiveness might be limited. Keep an eye on treated areas, especially to check for re-infestation. If you see that the pests are back, reapply pyrethrin immediately.
Finally, remember that although pyrethrin is effective, you need to follow good practices and avoid using it near water sources if you're growing cannabis outdoors. If you're growing indoors, keep your grow room sealed to avoid it from harming your pets.
7. Insecticidal Soaps
Insecticidal soaps are also an efficient option for managing various soft-bodied insects like pests springtails on cannabis plants.
Created using the potassium salts of fatty acids, insecticidal soaps disrupt the shields of insects in such a way that they die from dehydration. First, insecticidal soaps enter the outer cuticle of pests and damage their cell membranes. This process causes the insects to lose fluids that are crucial for their survival. Eventually, they experience dehydration and die.
These soaps are highly effective against insects like springtails while being safe for humans, and pets, and beneficial insects if you use and apply them correctly.
Insecticidal soaps are usually available in their concentrated forms or diluted sprays. If you go for the diluted ones, you can use them as is. If not, you can purchase the concentrated versions and dilute them yourself at home.
To treat cannabis plants infested with springtails, thoroughly spray every area, including the leaves and soil surface where springtails are found. In addition, although they are pretty effective, they don't have a lot of residual activity, so you need to apply them several times when the infestation is severe. Monitor your plants carefully to check whether the pests have reinfested the plants so you can take action immediately.
Again, remember that the timing is important. It won't do any good if you use insecticidal soaps or any other pesticide when the springtails are inactive. Thus, use it when the pests are active, typically during the warmer seasons of spring and summer. This is necessary to prevent the pests from reproducing and increasing their population.
Combining insecticidal soaps with other forms of pest control can increase your chances of eradicating pests.
Insecticidal soaps are seen as a great option as they break down quickly and have lasting effects. It's important to follow the instructions on the label, though, and avoid spraying when it’s too hot. Avoid direct sunlight as well to prevent any potential harm to leaves.
Tips on Preventing Springtail Infestations
To prevent springtail infestations on cannabis, you need to create an environment they hate. Here are various approaches to keep springtails from invading your cannabis plants:
1. Ensure Proper Drainage
Springtails thrive in wet and soggy soil, so it's important to have drainage in your soil. Opt for soil that drains well and avoid overwatering your plants. At the same time, adjust your watering routine accordingly. Let the top layer of soil between waterings to prevent springtail issues.
2. Enhance Air Circulation
Having air circulation around your plants can lower moisture levels and deter springtails. Utilize fans to boost airflow in your growing area.
3. Clear Away Excess Organic Matter
Since springtails feed on decaying material, make sure to remove any plant matter or debris from the surface of the soil. This will limit their food sources and discourage their presence.
4. Employ Beneficial Predators
Introducing predators like predatory mites or nematodes can naturally manage springtail populations. These predators prey on springtails, helping control their numbers effectively.
5. Use Diatomaceous Earth
Sprinkle some DE around the base of your cannabis plants to create a barrier that can discourage springtails. This substance works by absorbing moisture from the bodies of the pests causing dehydration and eventual death.
6. Keep Things Clean
Ensure that your growing area is tidy and free of clutter to remove hiding spots for springtails. Regularly clean your equipment and containers t to avoid most types of pests.
7. Isolate New Plants
Before introducing plants to your growing space, carefully examine them for any signs of springtail infestation. Keep new arrivals separate for some time to monitor for pest activity before integrating them with your other plants.
Summary: How to Get Rid of Springtails on Cannabis Plants?
Springtails are insects whose impact on cannabis plants should not be underestimated. While they don't directly harm the plants and pose a health risk, their presence can signal underlying issues and potentially lead to complications if not addressed. Recognizing springtails and understanding their behavior is essential for pest control in cannabis cultivation.
There are methods to eliminate springtails from cannabis plants each with its own advantages and considerations. Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile solution, effectively disinfecting the growing medium and repelling pests without using chemicals.
Neem oil, extracted from the Azadirachta tree, serves as an organic remedy that disrupts insect feeding and reproduction to manage pest populations. Additionally, diatomaceous earth, a fossilized rock powder offers a safe and environmentally friendly option by targeting pests through its abrasive properties.
Predatory mites like Hypoaspis miles or Hypoaspis aculeifer provide an alternative for controlling springtails by hunting down pests in the soil.
Keeping springtails away from plants involves a variety of methods. This includes making sure there is enough drainage, keeping an eye on moisture levels enhancing airflow, and getting rid of organic material. To deter springtails you can introduce predators, and use diatomaceous earth to create an environment that is not welcoming to them. You can also employ pest management practices without causing harm to the environment.
By implementing these techniques and being watchful, you can effectively handle springtail issues and maintain a healthy growing space for your cannabis plants.
