August 07, 2020
All growing things are subject to pests and diseases. It’s part of some larger plan, they say. You know, there’s a natural cycle to all living things. If they were not subject to some threats, they would not strengthen and evolve.
But, it’s also true that humans are inclined to fix things. The thinking goes that, if it’s broke, you’d better fix it. And, when those life forms directly impact our economy, health, or pleasure, we feel called to right things.
Your indoor grow tent may not strike you as having such noble ends, if you want your product to thrive and payoff in many ways( you bought the best equipment,such as, indoor grow lights, ventilation, etc),you need to know how to get rid of ants and other insects in your grow room.
Ants are typically first attracted to medicinal plants because of the honeydew emitted from whiteflies and aphids. If present, they provide environmental advantages to the whiteflies and aphids. Whiteflies and aphids release honeydew that ants like and, as a result, will actually offer protection for these damaging insects from their natural enemies.
So if you see ants around then, you can be sure that most likely your issue is bigger than just the ants. The ants are not necessarily an immediate threat to medicinal plants. There is, however, a strong possibility that aphids or white flies have taken over the area.
This other issue with having ants around is that they cause issues for your garden. Ants use large amounts of soil to create their homes and this may affect your plants ability to consume nutrients and water while also weakening the condition of the soil.
How to get rid of ants
Cinnamon, Coffee or Cayenne
These simple household ground spices act as excellent ant repellents and knock them down in no time. Cinnamon is the best out of these three. You could simply sprinkle the ground cinnamon powder on the ant-infested area. The strong aroma and taste of cinnamon scares them off and discourages them from coming back to the spot they were initially intending to colonize.
Another way of combating the ants using cinnamon is by preparing a solution of cinnamon powder with water and pouring over the ant hills and mounds. This solution can also be poured over the surface soil surrounding the plant.
Neem oil
Neem oil is a precious ally of the organic medicinal plants grower. This essential oil comes from the neem tree and contains powerful insecticide compounds. It has been used in horticulture, and also in ethnomedicine, for centuries. It can be sprayed directly on plants during veg as an immediate pesticide, or even every week or so as a preventative measure for spider mites, whiteflies, fungus gnats, nematodes, and all the other nasty beings who usually attack our plants. Neem oil doesn’t harm beneficial animals like ladybugs, bees, and earthworms, and it can also be added to irrigated water to prevent root rot.
A good pesticide mix can be prepared with 1 teaspoon of neem oil and just 5 drops of surfactant per litre of water. A surfactant, such as dish soap, is useful because neem oil does not mix well with water. Using warm water makes the mixing process even easier. Just allow the mix to cool off before applying it on your plants. A sprayer with the finest possible setting will be needed to mist the tops and bottoms of all the leaves. All ants targeted with the neem oil mist will suffer from serious respiratory issues, and all the others will flee as fast as they can. Avoid using neem oil directly on the buds of flowering plants.
Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is amazing. Not only is it safe to use on pets and around the house for flea management, but it also can kill ants without harming your plants. Diatomaceous earth is made from crushed, fossilized diatoms. Under a microscope, the powdery stuff looks as sharp and jagged as glass.
Nurture Beneficial Insects
Use other beneficial insects. Earthworms are excellent aerators and can keep your soil nice and tilled, limiting the need for ants. Earthworms also excrete expensive worm castings, which are basically pockets of beneficial nitrogen. Ladybugs and praying mantises are frequently used in grow rooms, as these predatory bugs eat aphids, excrete nutrients into the soil, and keep harmful pests to a minimum. Nematodes are microscopic, predatory organisms that can be found in healthy compost made from leaf litter and other organic matter.
Insects will not up and go away without treatment, and they will be back without preventive care. So, if you want quality and purity in your medicinal plants crop, you must learn how to get rid of ants and other insects in your grow room.