Outdoor Problem with my outdoor grow

Evo

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Had a lot of problems in my first outdoor grow. Never faced these issues in my indoor grows. So before I start my next outdoor grow I would like suggestions on how to prevent same terrorists messing with my grow. Its three diff types of bugs.

First two pics are of same kind of bug. It turned to whitish colour after around 4 weeks of partying on the plant.
Third pic pest seems to eat the leaves.
4th pic I think if of spider mite web. I am not sure. All these were spotted after 4 weeks into flowering.

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Stink bugs, caterpillars and spider mites. I've not had issues with stink bugs but have with caterpillars and spider mites. Spider mites usually become a problem around the time the plants start to bud. Neem oil or insecticidal soap will kill the adult spider mites. Soon as you see any signs of them, treat, then retreat again 3 and 6 days later to kill off any that continue to hatch out. Then weekly treatments as a preventative. Caterpillars are a bit harder. Safer, and a few others, make a solution that coats the leaves. When the caterpillars chew on the leaves they ingest it and it will kill them in a few days. I find the easiest way to control them is to check your plants twice a day and pick them off.
 
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First bug is a 'stink bug'...not sure of exact name. Green caterpillar thing looks very similar to a "cabbage looper". Basically it eats leafy greens...cabbage, grasses, pot leaves. Even if it's not a "cabbage looper", it still does the same things...eats leaves. Last thing is def some kind of mite web. Might be spidermite...might not be. But I'm about 99% sure its a mite of some kind...which is no bueno. It's been said that once mites have started an infestation, then its an uphill battle against them the rest of the way. The best way to combat pests is not when they show up, but beforehand. This means have ur predators, insecticides (if using), and other preventative measures in play and on hand before there's ever a problem. Good predators seem to be bugs that eat other bugs...but not so much plant material. Examples would be ladybugs (or their japanese beetle counterparts), praying mantis, and some people swear by catching spiders...like real spiders around the house, not mites...and then relocating them to the grow site. I've also read opinions that very healthy plants with high brix levels seem to not be as affected or as damaged by pests. That part supposedly centers around a belief that a weaker plant exudes some type of signal to the pests that there's an easy meal there. And conversely the supposed theory is that healthy plants with high brix levels somehow magically seem to "ward off" some common pests. But I, personally, don't know jack about much of any of that. I'm workin on my first outdoor grow now so perhaps someone with more exp will weigh in on the subject and either confirm or deny my advices.
 
what muddy said lol...he beat me to it while I was writing my post ha
 
Is neem oil and soap application safe while in flowering? Any soap recomendation? Also wanted to mention I never saw spider mite on my plant. I left town for three days and saw my plant covered with web when I came back. What would be the best place to look for spider mites on the plant? Can I spot them without a microscope? Also thanks for quick reply Muddy. Your help is always appreciated :)
 
You're very welcome. Not sure about neem oil but insecticidal soap is a contact killer and is water soluble. A good rain, or spraying with a garden hose, will wash it off. Safer also makes it and you can usually find it at the big box stores, or a good nursery or garden center should have it. You can pick up a 1 gallon plastic pump sprayer at Lowes for $10. They work great for applying it.

Spider mites can usually be seen on the underside of the leaves, sometimes with the naked eye but a magnifying glass is helpful. If you see some areas of your buds starting to turn brown, take a closer look. If it's mites, you'll see white webbing inside the bud. On second look, yours may not have been spider mites. Perhaps just a regular spider made that web.

As shadowbuck said, you can also use predatory insects. But outdoors it's sometimes hard to keep them around. As soon as they consume the ready food supply, they will move on in search of more food. That's why I prefer the soap.
 
Shhh....don't tell anyone...but I've been secretly following this convo for my own future references lol. Insecticidal soap eh? Hmmm...interesting...:bong:
 
Neem is effective against mites, and it becomes systemic in the plant after continued application. This means not only are the adult mites being killed by the neem (suffocation from the oil, neem messing with their brains and telling them to stop eating, messing with their molting, ect) but that the plant eventually builds up neem in it's system and the mites die as they eat it. The plant in the picture you showed us with mites is toast. Too far into flower and too many mites to save it now. Personally I'd throw it out, but it's your bud and you should do what you think is best.

As for the caterpillars, man I hate those bastard! Get some mosquito dunks and soak them in some chlorine free water, make sure to keep everything out of direct light. At dusk go spray the plants all overwith the solution. The BT bacteria will infect the cats and kill them all dead. Make sure to do it at dusk or lights out as light (specifically UV) will kill the bacteria before they can get the buggos.

That's all I've got for now, good luck!
 
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