Beneficial nematodes - Biological Pest Control for eliminating grubs ...

Beneficial nematodes are becoming much more popular for soil pest control. These microscopic, beneficial nematodes actively hunt, penetrate and destroy over 200 pests from up to 100 insect families. These pests are ones that either directly injure our desired lawn or plants, or immature grub stages of insects before they mature to adults that cause damage. Being natural, beneficial nematodes are safe to use around humans, children and pets. They won’t harm non-target organisms such as bees, or pollinators. These beneficial nematodes attack the larval stages of soil-dwelling pests, leaving the plants alone. The parasitic nematodes enter their prey through body openings and release bacteria that kills their host within 48 hours. The nematodes can then reproduce inside the pest. Nematodes are recommended for use whenever pest insects are present.
Beneficial Nematodes naturally occur in soil and are used to
control soil pest insects and whenever larvae or grubs are
present. Like all of our products, it will not expose humans or
animals to any health or environmental risks. Beneficial
nematodes only attack soil dwelling insects and leave plants and
earthworms alone. The beneficial nematodes enters the larva via
mouth, anus or respiratory openings and starts to feed. This
causes specific bacteria to emerge from the intestinal tract of
the nematode. These spread inside the insect and multiply very
rapidly. The bacteria convert host tissue into products which
can easily be taken up by the nematodes. The soil dwelling
insect dies within a few days. Beneficial nematodes are a
totally safe biological control in pest insects. The Beneficial
nematodes are so safe the EPA has waived the registration
requirements for application.
NATURE'S BEST WAY OF KILLING Grubs and Japanese Beetles.
We ship Healthy Beneficial Nematodes to all 48 States. Visit our website: www.buglogical.com or call 520-298-4400 for more information.
Though they are harmless to humans, animals, plants, and
healthy earthworms, beneficial nematodes aggressively pursue
insects. The beneficial nematodes can be used to control a broad
range of soil inhabiting insects and above ground insects in
their soil inhabiting stage of life. More than 200 species of
pest insects from 100 insect families are susceptible to these
nematodes. When they sense the temperature and carbon dioxide
emissions of soil-borne insects, beneficial nematodes move
toward their prey and enter the pest through its body openings.
The nematodes carry an associated bacterium (Xenorhabdus
species) that kills insects fast within 48 hours. The bacteria
is harmless to humans and other organisms and cannot live freely
in nature. Several generations of nematodes may live and breed
within the dead insect, feeding on it as a food source. When the
food source is gone, they migrate into the soil in search of a
new host. When the pest population is eliminated, the beneficial
nematodes die off and biodegrade. Beneficial nematodes are so
effective, they can work in the soil to kill the immature stages
of garden pests before they become adults.
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Beneficial nematodes infest grubs and other pest insects
that are known to destroy lawns and plants.
The Nematodes are effective against grubs and the larval or
grub stage of Japanese Beetles, Northern Masked Chafer, European
Chafer, Rose Chafer, Fly larvae, Oriental Beetles, June Beetles,
Flea beetles, Bill-bugs, Cut-worms, Army worms, Black Vine
Weevils, Strawberry Root Weevils, Fungus Gnats, Sciarid larvae,
Sod Web-worms, Girdler, Citrus Weevils, Maggots and other
Dip-tera, Mole Crickets, Iris Borer, Root Maggot, Cabbage Root
Maggot and Carrot Weevils.
Beneficial nematodes belong to one of two genera: Steinernema
and Heterorhabditis are commercially available in the U.S.
Steinernema is the most widely studied beneficial nematode
because it is easy to produce. Heterorhabditis is more difficult
to produce but can be more effective against certain insects,
such as the white grubs, and Japanese beetles.
How beneficial nematodes work: The life cycle of
beneficial nematodes consists of six distinct stages: an egg
stage, four juvenile stages and the adult stage. The adult
spends its life inside the host insect. The third juvenile
stage, called a dauer, enters the bodies of insects (usually the
soil dwelling larval form. Some nematodes seek out their hosts,
while others wait for the insect to come to them. Host seeking
nematodes travel through the soil the thin film of water that
coats soil particles. They search for insect larvae using
built-in homing mechanisms that respond to changes in carbon
dioxide levels and temperature. They also follow trails of
insect excrement. After a single nematode finds and enters an
insect through its skin or natural openings, the nematode
release a toxic bacteria that kills its host, usually within a
day or two. In less than two weeks the nematodes pass through
several generations of adults, which literally fill the insect
cadaver. Steinernema reproduction requires at least two dauer
nematodes to enter an insect, but a single Heterorhabditis can
generate offspring on its own. The nematodes actively searches
for insect larvae. Once inside the larva the nematodes excretes
specific bacteria from its digestive trac before it starts to
feed. The bacteria multiply very rapid and convert the host
tissue into products that the nematodes take up and use for
food. The larva dies within a few days and the color changes
from white-beige to orange-red or red-brown. The nematodes
multiply and develop within the dead insect. As soon as the
nematodes are in the infectious third stage, they leave the old
host and start searching for new larvae. Infected grubs turn
color from white-beige to red brown 2-4 days after application
and becomes slimy. After a few weeks, dead larvae disintegrate
completely and are difficult to find.
Beneficial nematodes are also very effective against
termites, German cockroaches, flies, ant, and fleas.
APPLICATION:
Beneficial Nematodes are very easy to use. Mix with water and
spray or sprinkle on the soil along garden plants or lawn. Put
the contents of the Beneficial nematodes in a bucket of water
and stir to break up any lumps, and let the entire solution soak
for a few minutes. Application can be made using a water-can,
irrigation system, knapsack or sprayer. On sprayer use a maximum
pressure to avoid blockage, all sieves should be removed. The
sprayer nozzle opening should be at least 1/2 mm. Evenly spread
the spraying solutions over the ground area to be treated.
Continuous mixing should take place to prevent the nematodes
from sinking to the bottom. After application keep the soil
moist during the first two weeks for the nematodes to get
establish. For a small garden the best method is using a simple
sprinkling or water can to apply the Beneficial nematodes to the
soil. Apply nematodes before setting out transplants; for other
pest insects, Japanese Beetles and grubs, apply whenever
symptomatic damage from insects is detected. Best to apply water
first if soil is dry.Application and amount for 50 and 100 Mil. Nematodes.
The 50 Mil. + nematodes are packed in an inert carrying material that will dissolve in water when mixed.
You can use a watering can, pump sprayer; hose end sprayer and irrigation system, backpack sprayers, or motorized sprayer.
The 10 Mil. 50 Mil. and 100 Mil. Nematodes mix 1 teaspoon per gallon of water.
The Large yard size: 1/2 Acre Size (50 Million) you can use up to 40 Gallons of water
The Acre size 100 Mil. Nematodes you can use up to 100 Gallons of water.
Evenly spread the solution over the ground areas to be treated.
Continuous mixing should take place to prevent the nematodes from sinking to the bottom of the container. To avoid blockages, remove all filters from the sprayer.
You can sprinkle the soil with water again after application to move the nematodes into the soil.
Apply nematodes as soon as possible for best product performance.
Keep the soil most for the first week after application.
Proper storage and handling is essential to nematode health.
Always follow the package instructions for the best method of
mixing nematodes. Formulations vary depending on the species and
target insect. Nematodes can be stored in the refrigerator up to
a month (not the freezer) before they are mixed with water, but
once the nematodes are diluted in water, they cannot be stored.
Also, nematodes shouldnt be stored in hot vehicles, or left in
spray tanks for long periods of time.Nematodes need moisture in the soil for movement (if the soil
is too dry or compact, they may not able to search out hosts)
and high humidity if they are used against foliage pests.
Watering the insect-infested area before and after applying
nematodes keeps the soil moist and helps move them deeper into
the soil. Care should be taken not to soak the area because
nematodes in too much water cannot infect.
Exposure to UV light or very high temperatures can kill
nematodes.
Apply nematodes in the early evening
or late afternoon when soil temps are
lower and UV incidence is lower as well
(cloudy or rainy days are good too).
Nematodes function best with soil
temperatures between 48Fº and 93Fº day
time temperatures.
Application is usually easy.
In most cases, there is no need for special application
equipment. Most nematodes species are compatible with
pressurized, mist, electrostatic, fan and aerial sprayers!
Hose-end sprayers, pump sprayers, and watering cans are
effective applicators as well. Nematodes are even applied
through irrigation systems on some crops. Check the label of the
nematode species to use the best application method. Repeat
applications if the insect is in the soil for a longer period of
time. There is no need for masks or specialized safety
equipment. Insect parasitic nematodes are safe for plants and
animals (worms, birds, pets, children). Because they leave no
residues, application can be made anytime before a harvest and
there is no re-entry time after application.
How to use beneficial nematodes: For the home gardener,
localized spraying is probably the quickest and easiest way to
get the nematodes into the soil. Producers ship beneficial
nematodes in the form of dry granules, powder type clay, and
sponges. All of these dissolve in water and release the millions
of nematodes. Each nematode ready to start searching for an
insect in your lawn or garden. Nematodes should be sprayed on
infested areas at the time when pests is in the soil. Timing is
important, or else you will have to repeat the application.
Northern gardeners should apply the nematodes in the spring,
summer and fall, when the soil contains insect larvae. Most of
the beneficial nematodes are adaptive to cold weather. In fact ,
the very best time to control white grubs is in the spring and
fall. If your in a warmer climate, beneficial nematodes are
effective all year.
Fertilizers should be avoided roughly 2 weeks prior to and
after nematode application, because they may be adversely
affected by high nitrogen content.
Some pesticides work well with nematodes when their mutual
exposure is limited while other pesticides may kill nematodes.
Check labels or specific fact sheets to find out. Some chemicals
to avoid are bendiocarb, chlorpyrifos, ethoprop, and isazophos.
Fungicides to avoid are anilazine, dimethyl benzyl, ammonium
chloride, fenarimol, and mercurous chloride. The herbicides,
2,4-D and trichlopyr and nematicide, fenamiphos, should be
avoided as well.
During hot weather release nematodes in the evening
or afternoon when
temperature is cooler. Release once or twice a year or until
infestation subsides. Nematodes are shipped in the infectious
larvae stage of their life cycle and can be stored in the
refrigerator for up to 4 weeks. Always release very early in the
morning or late in the late afternoon.
Why are these organisms
beneficial?
Beneficial nematodes
seek out and kill all stages of harmful
soil-dwelling insects. They can be used
to control a broad range of
soil-inhabiting insects and above-ground
insects in their soil-inhabiting stage
of life.
Parasitic nematodes are beneficial for eliminating pest insects.
First, they have such a wide host range that they can be used successfully on
numerous insect pests. The nematodes' nonspecific development, which does not
rely on specific host nutrients, allows them to infect a large number of insect
species.
Nematodes enter pest bugs while they are still alive,
then they multiply inside the bugs (which eventually
die) and finally burst out of the dead bodies. The
number of nematodes inside a single bug (depending on
the species) ranges from 5,000 to 10,000. Although you
can barely see one young nematode with your naked
eye, large groups of these tiny wigglers pouring out of
the dead insects are easy to see. Then the nematodes
wriggle off to find other insects to "invade," starting
the whole cycle all over again.
Second, nematodes kill their insect hosts within 48
hours. As mentioned earlier, this is due to enzymes produced by the Xenorhabdus
bacteria.
Also, the infective juveniles
can live for some time without nourishment as they search for a host.
Finally, there is no evidence that parasitic nematodes
or their symbiotic bacteria can develop in vertebrates. This makes nematode use
for insect pest control safe and environmentally friendly. The United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ruled that nematodes are exempt from
registration because they occur naturally and require no genetic modification by
man. Beneficial nematodes can be an excellent tool in the lawn and garden to
control certain pest insects. They can be used with organic gardening and are
safe for kids and pets.
Description
What is a nematode?
Nematodes are microscopic, whitish to
transparent, unsegmented worms. They occupy almost
every conceivable habitat on earth, both aquatic and
terrestrial, and are among the most common
multicelled organisms. Nematodes are generally
wormlike and cylindrical in shape, often tapering at
the head and tail ends; they are sometimes called
roundworms or eelworms. There are thousands of kinds
of nematodes, each with their particular feeding
behavior -- for example, bacterial feeders, plant
feeders, animal parasites, and insect parasites, to
name a few.
Insect-Parasitic
Nematodes. Traditionally, soil-inhabiting
insect pests are managed by applying pesticides to
the soil or by using cultural practices, for
example, tillage and crop rotation. Biological
control can be another important way to manage
soil-inhabiting insect pests. A group of organisms
that shows promise as biological control agents for
soil pests are insect-parasitic nematodes. These
organisms, which belong to the families
Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae, have been
studied extensively as biological control agents for
soil-dwelling stages of insect pests. These
nematodes occur naturally in soil and possess a
durable, motile infective stage that can actively
seek out and infect a broad range of insects, but
they do not infect birds or mammals. Because of
these attributes, as well as their ease of mass
production and exemption from EPA registration, a
number of commercial enterprises produce these
nematodes as biological "insecticides."
How
to order Beneficial Nematodes:All nematodes are not the same. Buglogical nematodes are more tolerant of high tempertures than any other brands. It is best to order
biological control nematodes and
have them delivered directly to you
from a reliable source.. This helps
insure that the nematodes you are
buying are still alive. Nematodes do
not live very long in storage.
Therefore, buying nematodes that are
stocked on a store shelf is very
risky.