how do you guys avoid pest and bug problems?

I operate on a couple things, first, bugs dont attack a healthy plant, with that said nutes, water dont neglect at all. Second, prevention is the way to go , be on top of it, use stuff you can get online to prevent attacks. Keep away from things like Tomatoes, giant spider mite target. Bugs are bugs and they are always going to be around. Comon dishsoap and water if used at night and rinsed off in the am to avoid the hot sun will keep most of them away. Mix it light not to heavy on the soap and go give your girls a light spray at night than a little light spray in the am to wash her off. Bugs hate soap. Neem Oil is another great thing to use, if mixed with water and a wetting agent and sprayed every now and then will keep the bastards away.

Also if a leaf even looks weird at all I snip a bit and put under microscope to see if bugs or larve are there.. Catching these things early is the biggest thing. Bottom line is be prepared and hover like a mom to a child. Every chance you get check up on your girls and you will be fine. Good luck..

Out of the game this year, but you likely can't avoid it, you just have to deal with and stay on top of it. Budworms every year, either spinosad or bt keeps them in check. Whiteflies, mites, if you have those just have to spray every few weeks. I had good luck with Monterey garden products. Just takes some time and effort, but they can be dealt with....but it's usually an ongoing thing you have to do

I was using Sevin and Safer but I stopped spraying about 2 weeks ago.

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Still hand check my plants but I have these guys backing me up.

Originally Posted by angryblackman

I was using Sevin and Safer but I stopped spraying about 2 weeks ago.

Spraying every ten days or so is good just make sure it is organic, which you can make at home, garlic and soap but bottom line yes spraying just to be safe is the way to go.

dont just spray the plant I spray all around the plant, any bushes close the fence, (spiders love fences) I create an entire area with the plants in the center. They will go somewhere else.

i just got mantis eggs...muah hahaha ill have a mantis army in my GH

Bugs are rarely an issue outdoor, im suprised you have spider mites and other bug issues, must be a backyard plant. I have grown guerilla style for years and have only had issues with termites , which can be taken care of with toxic chemicals after they have decked a couple of monster plants. What im saying is growing deep in the bush, problem bugs are taken care of by nature (eco system) in my experience.

Systemic pesticides and a foliar of any seaweed extract

Originally Posted by CaliMackdaddy

Systemic pesticides and a foliar of any seaweed extract

systemic pesticides are a no no. and are no good all around