Nematodes for
cannabis plants

BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL IN CANNABIS CULTIVATION

Biological pest control is of great importance in cannabis cultivation. The use of chemicals and synthetic pesticides can not only be harmful to the environment, but also affect the quality of the end product. For this reason, many cannabis growers are increasingly turning to organic pest control.

One of the main advantages of organic pest control is that it leaves no residue in the end product. Unlike synthetic pesticides, which can often remain on flowers and buds long after application, nematodes are completely organic and cause no residue.

Another advantage is that biological agents are targeted and only control pests without affecting beneficial insects and microorganisms. This is particularly important in cannabis cultivation, as the ecosystem of the plants is very sensitive and thus optimal growth can be guaranteed.

CONTROL OF FUNGUS GNATS IN CANNABIS

The fungus gnat belongs to the Sciaridae family and is one of the most common pests in cannabis cultivation.

Fungus gnats are very small black flies, only about 3 mm in size. They are easily recognised by their two long wings and their sluggish, lurching flight. Their larvae are about 5 mm long, legless, slender, glassy-translucent and have a dark head.

Fungus gnats or fungus gnat larvae can be controlled well with nematodes of the species Steinernema feltiae. The nematodes must reach the top of the substrate. The dosage is based on 10,000 nematodes per litre of substrate or 500,000 nematodes per m². It is usually recommended to repeat the treatment after 10 days. The preventive use of nematodes has proved particularly successful with young poinsettia plants.

CONTROL OF THRIPS IN CANNABIS

The Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) is an important pest in greenhouses. It attacks almost all greenhouse plants and especially flowering ornamental plants. Direct damage is caused by sucking activity and the resulting deformations, indirect damage by the spread of viruses.
For pupation, 95 % of the penultimate nymphal stage (commonly called prepupa) migrate to a soil depth of 1.5 - 2 cm. The presence of predatory beneficial insects that are active above ground increases the proportion of prepupae that migrate into the soil. Thrips spend 1/3 of their development in the soil.

Nematodes of the species Steinernema feltiae are also used here. 125,000 - 250,000 nematodes are applied per m² with at least 100 ml of water. The application is done by drip irrigation or with a foliar application without wetting agent, so that the drops can roll off the leaves. The nematodes attack the thrips in the soil, but hardly reproduce in them, which is why this application must be repeated every 10 days, as new thrips are constantly migrating into the soil.

NEMATODE PRODUCTS FOR CANNABIS CULTIVATION

We have several products based on Steinernema feltiae nematodes in our portfolio. The product nemaplus® contains Sf nematodes in a clay mineral powder. This is mixed with water and poured into the soil. There the nematodes fight larvae of fungus gnats and thrips.