mice in marijuana plants

Growing cannabis is as much an art as it is a science. This means there are a number of things that must be considered in the process as there is no one-size-fits-all. It is therefore important to be saddled with the right information during this process on what to do and what not to do. Pests have always been a plague against the success of any agricultural exercise and cannabis is no different. In this article, we will be sharing the effects of mice and rats on cannabis yield and how to protect your weed from them.

Rats and Mice as cannabis pests

Rats and mice are rodents which are known to scavenge actively looking for what to feed on. They feed on anything from human trash, plant materials, and even non-edibles. Cannabis plants like many other plants fall under the category of plants that rats and mice commonly prey on. This makes the mammals one of the commonest predators of cannabis plants. They are well-adapted to suit the roles of scavengers as they possess whiskers similar to those of cats which act as a feeler and measuring stick. They are also able to squeeze through tiny holes which means they are pests to weed plants grown indoors as well as those grown outdoors.

Rats are very efficient in scavenging which means they can be feeding on your plants without you knowing. They generally weigh less than one pound and only require one-third of their weight in food daily which means they have to scavenge regularly. They have special teeth that are well-adapted to biting, chewing, and gnawing. The front teeth of a rat are known to grow continuously over the course of their lives so next time you come across a rat, ensure to stay clear of its front teeth. They tend to chew on things constantly to file their teeth and keep them from growing which is why marijuana stalks are top on their target list.

How do you know your plants are being attacked by rats and mice?

There are different ways to know if your weed plants are being attacked by rats or mice especially when you haven’t seen the rats physically. The first thing to do is to look for signs on the plants that they are being attacked. A common sign with plans is gnawing or chewing on stalks of the cannabis plant. Another common sign to look out for even if you don’t see the rats is the presence of rat stool. Take note that this stool can cause damage to your marijuana buds so do well to keep them away from your produce. There is also a likelihood that nests, burrows, or colonies of the rats or mice are within the area so it is best to keep an eye out. The rats also leave trails that form runways which help them link their food source to their shelter. These trails are always littered so it can help in identifying if your weed plants are being plagued by cannabis plants or not.

How do you protect your weed plants from rats?

Cannabis like any other plant indeed requires protection from pests like mice and rats. Nonetheless, some of the common approaches being used such as the intense use of toxic chemical pesticides have not produced the desired outcome. Yet, these have left a devastating footprint on the ecology of the environment where they have been used and caused more harm. This is why most growers are actively looking for natural ways to protect their plants from mice and rats without affecting wildlife, groundwater, and the soil.

The use of a natural enemy has always been posited as a comfortable and natural way to get rid of mice and rats. This is why many cannabis growers are known to keep a healthy cat population both within the neighbourhood and growing area. Depending on the situation, you might not need to keep cats around your farm as keeping them in the neighbourhood might be sufficient. This will help to ensure that the cats themselves do not pose another problem for the development of the cannabis plants.

While a cat is the most suitable natural enemy for rats and mice, there are still other predators that can be used for the same purpose. Some outdoor cannabis growers have relied on the use of carnivorous birds in their region to help deal with the presence of rats and mice. Hawks, owls, and eagles are top on the list of villains that you can use to keep your rat population in check. This comes with limited risk to the plants as the birds are carnivorous and are less likely to turn their attention to the plants.

While there are steps that help in getting rid of rats from your growing area, there are also other steps that help in preventing them in the first place. The summary of these steps is to have a clean environment at all times. This makes your growing area less attractive for rats and mice. This is very important for indoor growers who may have their kitchens within reach. Scraps from the kitchen should be properly sealed and disposed of appropriately so they do not attract rats who may eventually prey on the plant being grown indoors. Littering your environment with snacks or left-over food is more like one is issuing a blank cheque for rodents and you can be rest assured that they will always be ready to cash it in. Storage should also be done in containers that are air-tight or rodent-proof as they are also equally likely to feast on your fabrics, sofa, and valuable documents.

Bottom line

Rats are major pests of marijuana plants and keeping them away from your plants is pivotal. A cannabis grower must be attentive to identifying signs of rat attacks on weed plants even when he cannot see them. Natural steps to eliminate the rats that will not affect the environment drastically should be undertaken. Likewise, quality steps to promote cleanliness and prevent the presence of rats in the first place are advisable.