Nematodes are nearly microscopic soil-dwelling parasites that can control over 200 species of pests without the use of chemicals or poisons, in greenhouses, fields, orchards, or any soil and application. We carry two species, Hetetorhabditis bacteriophora (Hb) and Steinernema carpocapsae (Sc), as well as a mix of the two. All are shipped as third-stage juveniles, and come with detailed instructions for release.
Most plant pests spend at least part of their lives underground, which makes soil-dwelling nematodes ideal to destroy a wide range of pests! Hb nematodes work especially well on lethargic, deeply planted pests like Japanese grub beetles. They prefer soil temperatures of 65-70 degrees F and live approximately 8 weeks. Sc nematodes are better for more active, shallow-living pests like
fungus gnats or mushroom fly larvae, and prefer soil temperatures of 60-70 degrees. They live approximately 15 weeks. Both species like slightly moist soil, but will live in a wide variety of conditions. Cooler temperatures will slow their reproduction and development.
The mixture of the two species is useful for a variety of pests, if you are unsure of what pests you need to control, or for control of cutworms. Both species work very quickly, and can also devastate population of flea beetles, fruit borers, black vine weevils, cabbage root maggots, leafminers, potato tuber worms, and many other pests. They reproduce within 9 days of release, but still require yearly re-release to maintain effective population levels. Releases should be timed for early spring, when many pests will be in their soil-dwelling forms.
Direct sunlight will kill nematodes, so they should be released in the evening. Release them using a watering can, water sprayer, or
fertilizer injector.
Please note that shipping live animals will incur a higher shipping cost.
