# Scouting

> Systematic, regular inspection of plants, traps and roots to detect pests and disease early, identify them correctly and record numbers for decisions.

- Canonical: https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/scouting.html
- Also written: pest scouting, crop scouting, monitoring, pest monitoring, plant inspection
- Glossary category: Pests and diseases · Evidence: Established
- Status: Draft: awaiting expert review · Updated: 2026-10-31
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), attribute "GenetixBay cannabis glossary"

Scouting is the routine, structured inspection of a crop to find pests, disease and other problems before they spread. It includes looking at leaf [tops](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/top-shelf.md) and undersides, [growing tips](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/apical-meristem.md), stems, buds, the medium surface and roots, plus reading [sticky traps](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/sticky-trap.md). The aim is early detection, correct identification and written counts that feed [action thresholds](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/action-threshold.md).

## In practice

A practical indoor routine: once a week, walk the whole room in the same pattern, check a set number of plants per row plus any that look off, and turn over leaves from low, mid and top canopy. Use a 10-20x hand lens for [spider mites](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/two-spotted-spider-mite.md) and [thrips](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/thrips.md) and a 40-60x scope on tips for broad and [russet mites](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/hemp-russet-mite.md). Watch hot spots: near intakes, doors, lights and the walls. Pull a plant from its pot now and then to check roots. Record what you saw, where and how many. Flag plants with tape so you can recheck them. Scouting is cheap; missing a mite outbreak in week three of flower is not.

## Don't confuse with

- **Sticky trap counts**: one part of scouting, limited to flying adults.
- **Diagnosis**: working out the cause once a problem is found.

## Related terms

[IPM](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/ipm.md), [Sticky trap](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/sticky-trap.md), [Action threshold](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/action-threshold.md), [Quarantine](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/glossary/quarantine.md)

## Read more

- [How to diagnose any cannabis plant problem](https://genetixbay.com/knowledge/diagnosis/how-to-diagnose-any-problem.md)

## Sources

1. UC IPM. Pest Notes: Spider Mites (Publication 7405). University of California ANR. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7405.html
2. Michigan State University Extension. Managing greenhouse insects. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/managing_greenhouse_insects