Description
What are Nematodes?
Nematodes are naturally occurring microscopic roundworms, active in soil as well as other environments like freshwater. They can be used in a targeted manner as a form of natural, biological control for some common garden 'pests'.
Nematodes are often used in commercial growing environments to ensure that crops, particularly young seedings, are protected from damage. They can also be used by individual growers to help with a severe infestation or persistent crop damage.
Entonem - Steinernema feltiae
Entonem nematodes can be used to control numerous larvae or 'pests'; see below for details. The treatment is effective at low temperatures, so they can be used in earlier or cooler parts of the season.
Steinernema feltiae can Be Used for Biological Control of:
- Fly larvae: Fungus gnats (Lycoriella spp., Bradysia spp.); Shore flies (Scatella spp.); Leaf miners (Liriomyza spp.)
- Thrips pupae and larvae: a.o. Western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis)
- Weevil larvae: Black vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus); Other weevils (Otiorhynchus spp.)
- Caterpillars: Tomato leaf miner moth (Tuta absoluta); Oak processionary moth (Thaumetopoea processionea); Common swift moth (Korscheltellus lupulina); Noctuidae: Armyworms (Spodoptera spp.); Cotton bollworm (Spodoptera littoralis); Corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea); Tomato looper (Chrysodeixis chalcites); cutworms (Agrotis spp.); Silver-Y moth (Autographa gamma)
- Bugs: Sycamore lace bug (Corythucha ciliata)
Vine Weevil
Vine weevils can affect a range of plants, but they can be particularly destructive when it comes to those grown in containers.
While the adult weevil munches on leaves, it's the larvae or grubs that do the most damage: they feed voraciously on plant roots under the soil surface. Your plants can wilt and fail before you even know you have a problem.
Adult vine weevils are 8-10mm long and dull black in appearance, with yellowish speckles on their back. A single female can lay up to a thousand eggs without mating. Eggs are very hard to spot, while the adults are mostly active at night.
Vine weevil larvae tend to be at their most active from autumn to spring, but they can be found all year round.
How it Works:
The nematode controls the larval stage of the pest by entering their body cavity and releasing symbiotic bacteria, which kills the grubs. You should see the larvae turn brown 7-10 days post application.
When to Apply:
March/May or August/October
For vine weevil control, they are best applied in August or early September, before the grubs grow large enough to cause damage.
How to Apply:
- Nematodes can be applied using a watering can, an airblast sprayer, through a sprinkler system, with a backpack sprayer, or a vehicle-mounted spray unit.
- Nematodes are susceptible to ultraviolet light (UV): do not use them in direct sunlight
- Soil should be kept moist for a period of at least 2 weeks after applying.
50 million covers an area of 50-100m².
Can be used once soil temperature is above 8°C; performs best at temperatures between 14-26°C.
- Nematodes have to be stored in a fridge: a standard household type is fine once temperatures are from 3-6 degrees.
- Entonem nematodes have a shelf life of up to 12-14 weeks when stored in a fridge. Expiry date printed on every pack.
86% Steinernema feltiae
14% inert biodegradable carrier.
