Just had spider mites infestation in your grow tent, but not sure how to get rid of them completely. Because if you don’t, the mites will destroy all your plants. Nothing to worry about since there are many ways to clean your grow tent after spider mites. But which are these?
How to clean grow tent after spider mites? Perhaps the most effective way to clean a grow tent after spider mites is using a bleach solution. You simply spray the formula on all the surfaces of your grow tent and rinse it off after about 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can use 3% undiluted hydrogen peroxide if you are not a fan of bleach.
Want to know more about how do I clean a grow room after spider mites? Keep reading.
Is It Necessary To Clean Grow Tents After Spider Mites?
Yes. Cleaning the grow tent helps prevent the spider mites from spreading to other healthy plants. The cleaning also helps minimize the risk of re-infestation. This is because the bugs will not have anywhere to hide while waiting for the green leaves to grow. Even better, if you clean the tent immediately after the bugs, your plants are more likely to recover with the right care.
How to Clean Grow Tent after Spider Mites?
Spider mites are a nightmare for any grower. Luckily, there are many ways to clean your grow tent after spider mites or thrips and keep them away. Let’s check them out.
Method One: Using A Pressure Washer
This is a simple but effective way to clean grow room after spider mites, aphids, thrips, or powdery mildew. You simply hook the washer to a garden hose. Then, pick your pressure sprayer and blast your grow tent with water on the walls and roofs.
Next up, clean your plants to wash away any remaining bugs on the back of the leaves. After that, get a bucket of clean water and a sponge. Then, wipe the leaves and the tent with your dampened sponge.
Method 2: Using Vinegar Solution
Water alone may not effectively clean grow room. This is where apple cider vinegar comes in since it is acidic. For this method, you need:
- 3 tablespoons of vinegar
- A few drops of liquid dish soap
- One tablespoon of baking soda
- One liter of lukewarm water
In a spray bottle, mix all the above products. After that, spray the solution on all the surfaces of your grow tent inside and outside. Then, let the tent air-dry. Lastly, use the same formula also to clean all other equipment in the grow space.
Method 3: Using Bleach
Bleach is very potent and can kill your plants and other vegetation. So, before using this solution, I suggest you remove all the plants and fixtures from the grow room.
Then, prepare your bleach solution using one quart of water and two tablespoons of sodium hypochlorite. Next, spray the solution on your tent’s surface, including the ceiling and floor.
Let the solution sit on the tent for at least 5 minutes before rinsing the surfaces with clean water. After that, wipe your tent dry using a soft cloth or leave it to air dry before putting back your plants.
Method 4: Using Hydrogen Peroxide
If you don’t have bleach, I recommend using 3% hydrogen peroxide to clean a grow tent after bugs. Start by spraying the hydrogen peroxide on your grow tent’s surfaces without diluting. Then, let your tent air-dry. And for the best cleaning results, I suggest you use the hydrogen peroxide solution 24 hours after using a bleach solution.
Method 5: Using 70% Alcohol Solution
You can either use isopropyl or rubbing alcohol. If using isopropyl, you must dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:1. Then, using a clean cloth or sponge dampened with the alcohol solution, clean the surfaces of your grow tent.
Also, wipe the plant’s leaves underneath and other fixtures in the room. After that, let the alcohol solution sit for a few minutes and rinse it off thoroughly with distilled water.
Can You Clean a Grow Tent In The Washing Machine?
Yes, but it is not such a good idea, and I will tell you why. First, disassembling your grow room and putting it back together is a lot of work. Further, once you set the tent in the washer, getting it out can be a hassle while it is still wet. This is because you can never machine-dry a grow tent. Worse yet, your tent’s fabric may tear or stretch during the wash cycle.
How Do You Keep Bugs Out of Grow Tent After the Cleaning?
So then, how do you keep spider mites out of the grow room after you are through with the cleaning? Check out these simple tips.
- Spray rosemary or neem oil solution over your plants, especially on the leaves and stems.
- Wash your hands and change clothes before entering the grow room after working outside in your garden.
- Always clean the grow room between growing cycles to eliminate decaying or dead plant matter.
- Make sure to sterilize all tools when moving them from one grow room to another to minimize cross-contamination.
- Install bug blockers or filters on your intake fans to keep the bugs from entering the room.
- Clean and sterilize the pots using 3% hydrogen peroxide solution before planting new crops.
- If possible, use a spider mite predator sachet on your plants. You only need one to two sachets per plant.
FAQs
In this section, I will respond to commonly asked questions about how to clean a grow tent after bugs.
How Do You Clean Plant Pots After Spider Mites?
You first empty the pots and then wash them in hot soapy water using a brush or a cloth. Next, mix two tablespoons of bleach with one quart of water in a bucket and soak your pots in the solution. Lastly, allow the vessels to dry.
Can I Clean Plants After Spider Mites?
Indeed, you can safely wash your grow plants, especially the leaves, as you clean the grow room. But of course, you must use mild formulas like soap and warm water or vinegar solution.
Why Do the Bugs Keep Coming Back Even After Cleaning the Grow Tent?
The main reason is that the conditions in your grow room are ideal for them. As it turns out, spider mites thrive in hot conditions. Therefore, keeping the tent cool can keep the bugs away.
Conclusion
Knowing how to clean grow tent after spider mites is critical if you still want to save your plants. Besides, washing the room helps prevent bug re-infestation.
But nothing to worry about because there are several effective methods to clean your growing space. For example, you could use a pressure washer, vinegar solution, alcohol, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. Having said that, after the cleaning, I suggest you do your best to keep the bugs out of your tent.
