Yo, what’s up homies? It’s ya boy Dan and today we’re talking ‘bout some real shit. Growing your own weed is dope as hell, but it ain’t easy. There are pests everywhere, tryna mess up your grow and leave you with some whack-ass weed. But, using chemicals to keep them away can be even more dangerous than the damn bugs themselves. So, I’ve rounded up 8 natural solutions to help you control your plants and keep those unwanted annoying pests away.
Over the last couple of years and especially since the 2016 elections, more and more people are starting to grow their own cannabis plants. This is happening even more throughout the U.S in states that have turned recreational. But let’s be real, pests are always flying around and it’s hard as hell to grow a clean plant that can reach its full potential.
When most people think of pest control, they think of bottles of conventional chemical pesticides. You know the ugly, harmful stuff that ruins your lungs and respiratory system. The stuff you use when you find a cockroach in your home, or some other disgusting animal. But homies, you don’t gotta use that toxic shit! There are alternatives that are much more environmentally friendly and won’t have such a bad effect on your health.
1) Tobacco Based Pesticide
Nicotine, the active ingredient in tobacco plants is the most effective insecticide for plants. Growers use it throughout the whole world because it’s affordable as hell. To make aerosol tobacco pesticide soak 2 tablespoons of tobacco in 2 liters of water. After 24 hours, pour the mixture into a spray bottle. You will have to dilute the mixture by adding additional water (The exact combination should be 60% tobacco water with 40% of regular water). After that, simply spray the mixture on your plants and get rid of those unwanted pests.
2) Use Herb Plants
One of the best green solutions to deal with those unwanted pests is to plant next to your cannabis other plants that will shoo those pests away. Most of these natural pesticide plants are ones that give off different smells and odors. They act as natural repellents. Most of these helpful plants are herb plants. They include mint, chives, sage, rosemary, mint and basil. Another creative solution is to boil the leaves of these wonderful herbs in water, creating a herb mixture. Once it cools down, simply pour it into an empty spray bottle and spray the mixture onto your plant.
3) Garlic
Garlic has an adamant smell and is often classed as a natural antibiotic. Similar to as you’d see in vampire movies, the idea is to place garlic cloves around your plants. The smell will repel those unwanted guests and keep your cannabis plants pesticide free.
4) Ever Heard of Neem Oil
Well, Neem oil is a vegetable oil pressed from the fruits and seeds of the neem (Azadirachta indica), an evergreen tree which is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced to many other areas in the tropics. It is an effective treatment against certain pests, but there are two things that you must take into consideration. The first; it is a very short term solution, as it loses its effect when coming into contact with the sun. The second; It also has a negative effect on positive germs that live in the soil, slowing reducing the amount of nitrogen in the soil.
5) Pheromone traps
One of the main things that keep these pests going and motivated is the constant search for a mate. Similar to all animals, they thrive on breeding. Pheromone traps send out a unique hormone that attracts pests in. The horny pests come in thinking they are going to get some and that’s the end. Once they come in and land, there is no getting out.
6) Cinnamon Powder
Yo, this one might be an old wives tale, but it is supposed to work. Similar to the garlic that you placed around your plants, the idea is to scatter cinnamon powder around your plants. This is supposed to kill any unwanted pests and keep the other insects away.
7) Kitchen’s Guard
There isn’t much to say about this one as most homes are probably familiar with this. The idea is to combine dishwashing liquid with a cup of cooking oil. For every 4 tablespoons of Kitchen guard, mix it with half a liter of water and then spray it around your base of your plants.
8) Chalk and Talcum Powder
These two powders are quite effective in repelling pests, but not in killing them. It is an effective method against ants and other flying insects.
So homies, there you have it! Some natural solutions to keep those unwanted pests away from your dope-ass cannabis plants. Ain’t nobody got time for that whack chemical shit. Grow clean, grow green!