Crickets:

Crickets are small to medium-sized insects with long antennae and powerful hind legs for jumping. They are typically black or brown and are often found in outdoor setups, especially in moist, warm environments.

Symptoms:

• Chewed stems, leaves, or roots, particularly on young plants or seedlings.

• Stunted growth or wilting due to root or stem damage.

Control:

• Beneficial Nematodes: Apply Steinernema carpocapsae to the soil to target cricket larvae in the soil. These nematodes attack and kill crickets before they mature.

• Neem Oil Drench: Water the soil with a neem oil solution to deter crickets from feeding on the plant's roots and young shoots.

• Diatomaceous Earth (DE): Sprinkle food-grade DE around the base of plants and on the soil to create a barrier that can kill crickets when they crawl through it. DE damages their exoskeleton, leading to dehydration.

• Physical Barriers: Install row covers, fine mesh, or barriers around young plants to keep crickets from accessing and feeding on them.

• Companion Plants: Grow cilantro or garlic around your cannabis plants to repel crickets naturally.

• Traps: Set up sticky traps or shallow containers with molasses or beer near the plants to attract and trap crickets.