Blog by Environmental Plant Management
The problem with outdoor pests like ants is that they build nests around the root systems of crops, and this can stunt a plant’s growth and make them more susceptible to diseases. But how do you choose an ant insecticide that can eliminate the ants and not your crops? These are the challenges most growers…
The most frustrating aspect of growing food or medicinal plants is dealing with a variety of pests. Some insects can cause significant damage to your crops, which can cost you valuable time and money. One of the most annoying of these pests is the spider mite. These small pests belong to the arachnid family and…
There are a variety of problems growers face when it comes to their irrigation systems, and one of the most common issues is biofilm buildup. This thin, slimy film can cause serious damage to your crops, like root rot and oxygen deprivation, if you don’t tend to it with the right products. Since there are…
Proper pest control is one of the most difficult situations to manage when you’re growing crops. Many growers turn to beneficial pests to rid their farms of mites, thrips, or whiteflies that cause significant damage to their harvest. But do these predatory pests actually work to kill off insects crunching down on your crops? While…
One of the most frustrating ordeals when growing a hydroponic garden is dealing with a pest infestation. The most common pest you may have to face is the whitefly, which is a small winged insect that is white or yellowish in color. These insects resemble tiny moths or gnats, are soft-bodied, and are closely related…
Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied sap suckers, but in commercial blocks, they cause big problems such as curled leaves, honeydew, sooty mold, viruses, and costly clean-ups at harvest. The good news is you can tilt the field or garden in your favour with plants aphids hate. In other words, the right companion plants can help keep…
Commercial cannabis is a precision crop. Tight climate windows, zero-tolerance residue rules, and a relentless pest complex leave no room for guesswork. From spider mites to aphids, thrips, whiteflies, russet mites, and fungus gnats, cannabis pests adapt quickly. They hide in dense canopies and spread via plant material, packaging, and workers’ clothing. Success means running…
For large-scale growers, pest pressure is constant. Effective control means using tools that work quickly, fit spray schedules, protect beneficial insects, and meet residue, worker-safety, and market requirements. The first step in responsible pesticide use is knowing how a pesticide works: non-systemic (contact) or systemic (translocated). This article explains each type, their strengths and limitations,…
Although thrips are small pests, the harm they cause is significant. Thrips are probably the cause of any silvery patches on your plant leaves, distorted growth, or small black dots that appear to be dirt, but aren’t. Your plants will be stressed, stunted, and prone to disease as a result of these pests sucking the…
If your once-green leaves have turned bronze and brittle, without a sign of what could’ve caused it, your problem could be the russet mite. These pests are small but capable of doing damage to many plants in a matter of days. Left untreated, the russet mites can diminish your yields, but trying to get rid…