How to Manage and Get Rid of Pests in Your Grow Room

Keeping your grow room pest-free is one of the most important steps for protecting your plants and achieving a successful harvest. Unfortunately, issues like thrips, spider mites, and powdery mildew are all too common in indoor gardens.

At Bradford Hydroponics, we want to help you spot the early warning signs and take quick, effective action to keep your plants safe.

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Why Pest and Disease Management Matters

Pests don’t just cause cosmetic damage — they weaken plants, reduce yields, and in severe cases, can wipe out entire crops. By learning to recognise early symptoms of infestation and practising good hygiene, you’ll avoid costly setbacks and keep your hydroponic system running smoothly.

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Common Grow Room Pests and Problems

1. Thrips

Signs of thrips:

• Silvery streaks or patches on leaves

• Small black dots (insect waste) on foliage

• Distorted or stunted growth

How to control thrips:

• Use yellow or blue sticky traps to monitor and catch adults.

• Apply biological controls like predatory mites (e.g. Amblyseius cucumeris).

• Consider natural sprays such as Neem Oil or Insecticidal Soap.

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2. Spider Mites

Signs of spider mites:

• Fine webbing on the undersides of leaves

• Tiny yellow or white speckles on foliage

• Leaves curling, drying, or dropping early

How to control spider mites:

• Increase humidity (mites thrive in dry conditions).

• Introduce predators such as Phytoseiulus persimilis.

• Use Spider Mite Control Sprays or Horticultural oils for heavy infestations.

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3. Powdery Mildew

Signs of mildew:

• White, powdery coating on leaves and stems

• Slowed growth and weaker plants

• Leaves eventually yellowing and dying off

How to control powdery mildew:

• Improve airflow with Oscillating fans and regular pruning.

• Avoid overcrowding plants to reduce humidity build-up.

• Apply preventative sprays like Mildew Treatment.

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General Pest Prevention Tips

Keeping your grow room clean and controlled makes it harder for pests and diseases to take hold. Some simple habits include:

• Maintain hygiene: Clean tools, trays, and surfaces with sterilising solutions.

• Monitor regularly: Check plants daily for unusual spots, webbing, or discolouration.

• Use sticky traps: Place Yellow Sticky Traps around your grow to monitor pest activity.

• Control climate: Keep temperature and humidity in the optimal range for your crop.

• Quarantine new plants: Always isolate and inspect before adding them to your main grow room.

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Final Thoughts

Pests and mildew are every grower’s nightmare, but with vigilance and the right products, they don’t have to ruin your grow. By learning to spot the signs of thrips, spider mites, and powdery mildew, and taking quick action, you’ll protect your plants and maximise yields.

At Bradford Hydroponics, we stock a wide range of pest control solutions, sprays, and monitoring tools to help you keep your grow room pest-free.