NEW Nematodes to go

Nematodes – natural pest control

For some years now gardeners have known about the benefits of using the micro roundworms called Nematodes and now they are ready to go, straight from Ferndale garden centre.

Neudorff, one of Germany’ biggest garden products producers has introduced Nematodes that you can buy off the shelf. Most Nematodes are sold direct from the laboratory due to their short shelf life.

The new Neudorff Nematode range includes controls for Vine Weevils, Chafer Grubs, and Leatherjackets.

Nematodes are a natural predator of many insects that live in the soil. They are naturally occurring but often on low number. In the laboratory numbers are boosted to millions so that when you use them some of the nematodes will find their prey. They are worm like but usually microscopic. They hunt down their chosen prey and burrow into them to complete their life cycle and/or injects bacteria into the pest which multiplies and kills. after killing a grub nematodes eat hem and then search for more by ‘swimming’ in the soil water. Once all the grubs are dead the nematodes die leaving no evidence of them ever being there.

Nematodes are completely safe to use and are natural and effective plant protection and cure. The each nematode species is a specific to a pest. her is some killing benefit to other pests but the three main pests need their own specific strain of parasitic worm. Treated areas can be entered straight away after application.

Application

Before application water your soil. Prepare the watering can or NemaSprayer and then apply the nematode mixture.

Nematodes for Vine Weevil 

Neudorff Nematodes – FAQ’s

 How do I identify which product I need?

• Damage to plants in pots with small white grubs in the soil – Vine Weevil larvae
• Damage to the lawn – it can look like malnutrition or in need of over seeding – with small white grubs with pincers in the soil – Chafer Grub
• Damage to the lawn – it can look like malnutrition or in need of over seeding – with brown / black grubs without pincers in the soil – Leatherjacket

I have purchased my nematodes, when should I apply them?

Apply early in the morning or dusk when temperatures are cooler and it is not full sun conditions (UV rays kill nematodes!). We advise application on rainy, overcast days for optimal nematode soil penetration.  DO NOT APPLY IN FULL SUNLIGHT.

How long do I need to mix / shake / agitate the sachet in water?

Between 1 -3 minutes until the water becomes cloudy / milky, this will indicate the nematode have diffused out of the bag and are now in solution with the water. Do not over shake as this will cause the sachet to break and the carrier material inside it will then likely block the sprayer / watering can head.

What temperature should the water be for mixing?

The water for diffusing the sachet should be tepid, very cold or very hot water should be avoided. The water coming through the hosepipe, if using a NemaSprayer, is suitable for use straight from an outdoor tap. Water hardness / softness will not affect the efficacy of the nematodes.

How do I apply the product in a watering can?

We recommend the VineWeevilFree product is applied via a watering can fitted with a coarse rose (1mm aperture opening minimum) although a NemaSprayer can also be used – please see instructions below. Firstly, in a bucket make a stock solution with 1.5 L of water and 1 x VineWeevilFree sachet. Mix vigorously for 1 – 3 minutes until the water has become cloudy / milky. Immediately take 0.5 L of this solution and add to a 4.5 L watering can and fill with water. Apply this solution to a third of the soil area to be treated. Repeat the process twice more so that all the stock solution has been used and the entire soil area treated. Remove used sachet from the stock solution bucket and dispose of either in the compost heap or in household waste

How do I apply the product in a NemaSprayer?

We recommend the LawnGrubFree and LeatherjacketFree products are applied via a NemaSprayer for ease of complete lawn coverage. To apply across an area of 100 m² fill the NemaSprayer to the 70 L mark and drop in 2 x LawnGrubFree sachets or 1 x LeatherJacketFree sachet. Seal the sprayer securely and shake for 1 – 3 minutes until the water has become cloudy / milky. Attach the sprayer to your hose and switch on tap, turning the water lever on the NemaSprayer to ‘ON’. Water lawn with the solution until the NemaSprayer liquid chamber is empty. Remove used sachet from the NemaSprayer and dispose of either in the compost heap or in household waste. For the application of the VineWeevilFree product simply follow the above steps but only fill the NemaSprayer to the 30 L mark.

Should the soil be moist before and after the nematode application?

The soil should be moist at time of application and lightly watered immediately after application. After application, regular watering of the treated area will provide sufficient moisture. Keep treated area moist for at least 3 days after application.  In hot conditions, keep treated area moist for 7 days.

 The sachet has not dissolved / the sachet is still inside the sprayer and the nematodes are still in the sachet?

The sachet will not dissolve at all, it works like a tea bag with the nematodes ‘diffusing’ out of the sachet when mixed in water. The phrase ‘soluble sachets’ printed on the front of the globe was included in error. When the water turns milky / cloudy the nematodes have diffused out of the sachet, the gel-like carrier material contained within the sachets does not dissolve – this is simply the carrier for the nematodes and not the nematodes themselves. Nematodes are microscopic so you will not see them in the water or the sachet – even though there are between 5 and 10 million of them per sachet! (product dependent)