Thrips are tiny, slender insects that damage cannabis plants by scraping leaf tissue and feeding on plant fluids.
What Are Thrips
Thrips feed by puncturing the surface of leaves and sucking out the contents of plant cells. This causes distinctive silvery streaks, speckling, or distorted growth. Thrips are small and fast-moving, making early detection difficult.
They can reproduce quickly and spread easily between plants.
How We Get Thrips
Growers encounter thrips when:
- New plants are introduced without quarantine
- Grow spaces lack preventative IPM
- Outdoor plants or pets bring pests indoors
- Warm conditions favor rapid reproduction
Leaf damage is often noticed before the insects themselves.
Why It Matters
Thrips matter because:
- They reduce photosynthesis
- Damage can stunt growth
- Infestations spread quickly
- They can be difficult to fully eliminate
Severe infestations can significantly impact plant health and yield.
Limitations & Notes
Thrips can develop resistance to repeated treatments. A combination of environmental control, beneficial insects, and rotation of control methods works best.
Resources
- VIDEO: I have thrips! How to deal with thrips in living soil, beneficial bugs, organic sprays. (The Slow Lane)
- VIDEO: Stop Thrips Naturally | Organic IPM for Healthy Living Soil Gardens (The Slow Lane)