How to Get Rid of Hydroponic Pests

One of the benefits of indoor hydroponic farming is that your plants are far less susceptible to pests. But “far less susceptible” isn’t the same as invulnerable, and some types of pests are common in hydroponic farming. Learn which types are most common and how to deal with them if they show up on your hydroponic farm.

How to Get Rid of Spider Mites

While spiders can actually be beneficial to hydroponic growing, spider mites are not. These tiny pests are only about a millimeter across, so you’re more likely to spot their webs than the mites themselves. If you detect a spider mite infestation, take action immediately as they will multiply at an alarming rate and could soon take over your entire greenhouse. 

Spider mites thrive by sucking the sap and fluids out of plants. This damages the plant’s structure and leaves them susceptible to various diseases. If you start to notice yellow, dying leaves on your plants, examine the area closely for webbing as you may have a spider mite problem. 

If your infestation is just beginning and confined to a single plant or a minimal area, you can simply prune the infested parts of your plants and get rid of them, taking the mites along with them. If the infestation has grown larger, though, there are still some ways to get rid of spider mites.

If your infestation is too large for pruning but still fairly small, you might try a soap spray. Mix three tablespoons of insecticidal dish soap (such as Castile, Ivory, or Murphy’s Oil) with a gallon of water, then spray it onto infected areas. Repeat daily for one week to ten days. For larger problems, consider using pyrethrum, a mite killer made from chrysanthemum flowers. 

Of course, the best way to deal with spider mites is to prevent the infestation before it takes hold. For a natural and pesticide-free preventative, consider introducing beneficial insects such as a praying mantis or ladybugs into your garden. These have the added benefit of preventing infestations of various pests without the use of harsh chemicals or sprays. 

How to Get Rid of Whiteflies

Another pest commonly found in a hydroponic farm is the whitefly. Like spider mites, whiteflies survive by drinking the sap from your plants, which is harmful and makes them more susceptible to disease. Whiteflies are tiny flying insects, typically white or yellowish in color. They’re most commonly found on tomatoes and peppers but can also infest other plant varieties.

Whiteflies lay their eggs on the underside of the leaves of the plants they infest. Be sure to inspect these areas regularly, especially if you’ve seen any flying insects in your hydroponic garden. Some gardeners also employ sticky traps in the greenhouse. While these won’t stop an infestation, if checked often, they are a good way of detecting a whitefly problem in its early stages. 

Like spider mites, whiteflies can be removed with a soapy spray treatment. If you have a larger infestation, you might consider applying neem oil, a natural treatment extracted from the neem tree. For a non-chemical solution, consider introducing nematodes. These beneficial microscopic worms destroy whitefly nymphs from the inside out, and can safely be applied to nearly any garden type.

How to Get Rid of Aphids

No matter what type of growing you do, you’re likely to run into an aphid problem from time to time. Aphids are tiny pests that come in all sorts of colors including green, yellow, white, brown, red, and black. You’ll see them in colonies, clinging to the stem and underside of the leaves of your plants, and like other hydroponic pests they can reproduce and take over quickly.

Aphids can also be dealt with in much the same way as the other pests we’ve listed, by applying soapy spray or neem oil. Additionally, a parasitic fungus called Lecanicillium Lecanii is one of the most effective options available, and some species of nematodes can be used here as well. 

The Best Treatment Is Prevention

At the end of the day, the best way to deal with infestations is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. At Eden Green Technology, we offer a turnkey hydroponic greenhouse solution that is literally grown in laboratory conditions. Our greenhouses are often used by researchers because our conditions are so closely controlled and monitored. This means you’re far less likely to have a pest control problem crop up, but also, you’ll catch one immediately if it does occur. Want to learn more? Take a virtual tour of our R&D greenhouse to see how our operation functions or contact an expert to discuss starting your own hydroponic farm.