Hi there I am a first time grower. I think I have root aphids because these tiny spider looking things never leave the soil and are never on the actual plant or leaves. I look everyday n the only place these guys are is on the soil. Are they root aphids? And can I get rid of them?. I have video of them but I can’t upload them here. Suggestions? Hard to ser and find them in pictures
Captain Jacks Dead bug i believe it’s called!! Is a very good product to use !!! @Missiles @MattyBear I believe one of these guys will be able to help also
4 Likes
It’s hard to tell from your pictures but it could be aphids . Try to let your soil dry out as much as possible . They like moist soil . Go on line as there are a few products that will help control them . Destroy Root Aphids in your Cannabis Plants For Good!
by Parker Lewis
With growing marijuana, you sometimes come upon various insects in the garden from time to time.
One such insect the root aphid which is becoming a increasing problemwith growers more frequently.
Root aphids can cause some serious damage to your cannabis plants if not taken care of soon enough.
Because once you start to flower it will become even harder to eradicate these pests, without comprising your buds.
A species of these little bastards also caused a great devastation to the wine industry in France in the 19th century.
So it’s good to take note these insects are major threat.
What is a Root Aphid?
The root aphid is part of the Phylloxera family tree, more specifically Phylloxeridae.
I know I cannot pronounce them myself, but in a nutshell, there are many species wrapped up in this gene pool.
They are all plant parasites, which means they feed off the roots of all types of plants.
And get this,
According to Wikipedia one that feeds off grape vine roots made its way over to England at the end of the 19th century.
They were collected by botanists who visited North America and took samples back to their homeland.
Eventually making their way across Europe and into France, where almost ⅔ of all the grape vines were destroyed because they could not find a way to kill the aphids.
So desperate the grape growers resorted to burying toads under the grapevines to “leech the poison.”
And this did not resolve the problem.Obviously not.
Lets take a closer look at the root aphid,
The root aphid is asexual meaning they always reproduce female offspring. The aphid can produce up to 60 -100 nymphs in 20 to 30 days.
Or in anywhere from 7- 10 days. As noted from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Root Aphid vs Fungus Gnat
There is a noticeable difference between the root aphid and fungus gnat if you are unsure of what is doing damage to your marijuana plants.
Root Aphid
Fungus Gnat
Root aphids are short and stocky and usually cannot fly far.
Fungus gnats are long lanky and usually black.
The aphid is also mistaken for mealy bugs around the roots and surrounding areas. Note they are usually smaller.
Signs of Root Aphid Invasion
The symptoms of root aphids have infested your cannabis plants can be, the plants will start to have yellowing leaves and appear to have stunted growth. It can resemble a magnesium deficiency.
- Make sure your plant is getting enough magnesium
Another sign is you may notice them crawling around the top of the soil or on some of the bottom leaves.
Cause of Root Aphids in Cannabis Plants
The main reason why you may have aphids can be due to many factors.
-
Bringing outside plants in from stores or gardens to your house
-
Over-watering your plants can lead to a more suitable environment for the root aphids to lay their eggs,
-
Soil purchased that is mass produced can possible harbor some the aphids from the beginning, and you may never know until it is too late.
-
Not taking care of your hydroponic system, with rock wool and coco coir on upkeep and maintenance.
-
By going unchecked, they can all of a sudden spring out of nowhere
Best ways to Kill Root Aphids in Marijuana
Seeing as the aphids love the roots so much the best way to get rid of the aphids is to attack the source.
There are many ways to do this by using some natural remedies, organic solutions, and even some insecticides if you want to go all out.
Natural Remedies
Sand is a good preventive technique to use if you are using soil or coco coir as a growing medium.
Sand is like glass and stops them from going into your roots! Place about 1-2 inches on the top and bottom of your grow pots.
Just like the fungus gnat that has made its way to the roots, you can tackle this problem is the same manner.
If you have dealt with fungus gnats in the past you may already have some of these solutions on hand!.
Yellow sticky trap paper is a great first defense it starts to kill the adult and nymphs hopefully before they can reproduce.
Hydrogen Peroxide can be used as a first step before you invest any money in a solution. Hydrogen peroxide works at killing aphid larvae.
- Beware hydrogen peroxide can harm your roots if used to much.
Dry out the soil for a couple of days, then mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water and soak your infected cannabis plants. When the growing medium starts to foam, it means the larvae a now being killed.
Beneficial Nematodes work well in either soil or hydroponic systems the used rock wool or coco coir and even aquaponics.
You just add these to water, and they go to work.
I cannot recommend Beneficial Nematodes enough.
Beneficial Nematodes are good at killing root aphids and so many different types of insects like fungus gnats.
It’s easy to apply. I usually add them after transplanting about two weeks later.
Neem Oil is an excellent natural remedy that works on all type of insects and fungal outbreaks. Make sure the soil is completely dry.
Simply mix two tablespoons per gallon of water and soak the roots of your plants.
OG Biowar Foliar Pack is 100 percent safe made with beneficial microbes and no chemicals when mixed with water it can be used in soil or coco coir.
Diatomaceous Earth is another great alternative. It’s a food supplement that is also a root eating insect killer!
Diatomaceous Earth contains silica which is made up of fossilized remains of aquatics creatures. This makes like a glass wall so root aphids can’t lay the eggs that feed off the roots .
Great results have been seen in two weeks or less.
For proper handling here is a resource from: The International Diatomite Producers Association (IDPA).
More Extreme Remedies
Botanigard ES is something that is quite expensive, but it does the job. This stuff is nasty to the aphid it fills the larvae with a fungus and kills it. If you need the final solution then this is your ticket.
Azamax is a great second alternative after natural remedies; it is 100 percent vegetable base solution that is made for all insects chewing and sucking. Can be used in foliar sprays or when watering plants.
Azatrol a food grade insecticide that works ideal for hydroponic tanks and is perfect for soaking the soil when you have an outbreak.
Azatrol kills the larvae of root aphids.
Note: Azatrol is a good defense against spider mites as well.
Evergreen Pyrethrin is the total package, it’s a broad spectrum insecticide, and takes care of a lot of insects. From aphids to the Japanese Beetle.
Pyrethrin is made from the flower of the chrysanthemum.
Not recommended for outdoor growing it’s bad for the bees when sprayed.
Go light on soaking your plants with this stuff.
Recommended dose 1-3 ml/gallon
Organocide is a natural 3 in 1 solution a insecticide, fungicide, miticide.
This could be used as an effective way to get rid of root aphids larvae and any other problem in your garden.
Watch the short video below on getting rid of root aphids
With so many solutions which one should you choose?
It all depends on maybe what you have around the house or you can go a little more extreme.
My personal favorite preventive measures is beneficial nematodes and Organocide when I need to eradicate these root eaters.
The root aphid is destructive if they get out of hand.
So if you use some preventive techniques such as sand and beneficial nematodes.
Control the grow space with temperature and humidity and not over watering your mediums.
You should make out alright in destroying those nasty root aphids in your cannabis plants.
4 Likes
Yes I have seen others use that I haven’t myself yet but lots of others do
2 Likes
Thank you all for the replies and I do apologize I could not get better Pics. Wish I could post the video. There’s more of them and they’re a little easier to see.
Another thing to is hydrogen peroxide doesn’t work and these don’t have wings. They look like a bunch of tiny white spiders n tiny brown spiders. N never in the plant or on it. Always on the top soil
This will kill the suckers.
I will try that. Thank you
Get food grade diatomaceous earth and top dress your soil. It’s like razor blades to them. And it’s good for the roots, silica I believe. I switched to growing in coco coir because of them
2 Likes