Thousands of strains exist with different life-styles. Beneficial nematodes only attack soil dwelling insects and leave plants alone. The nematodes enter the host through body openings or by penetration of the body wall. Once inside, they release a bacterium which kills the host within 48 hours. The nematodes continues to reproduce and its offspring begin to seek out new host material.
Beneficial nematodes are a totally safe biological control parasitic insect organism.
The Beneficial nematodes are so safe the EPA has waived the registration requirements for application. Though they are harmless to humans, animals, plants, and healthy eartworms, beneficial nematodes aggressively pursue insects. 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 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 pest, they emerge and seek more pests in the soil.