Nematodes: little worms effective against soil borne pests
You can use hardcore pesticides like an a-bomb and kill everything in sight, but that has a certain post-apocalyptic feel that is unsettling. The average home gardener will use a known commercial brand or search for a “home remedy” but what if there was a solution that Mother Nature has already provided? There is a class of organisms that exist with a funny name but a very serious purpose. Nematodes are slender, translucent, un-segmented worms that are 1/25 inch to several inches long.
There are believed to be half a million different species of nematodes. Some are friend, and some are foe. The beneficial variety is valuable because they cause disease in destructive bug pests, but don't harm humans, other animals or the environment. These little worms are effective against some soil borne pests including weevils, clearwing borers, cutworms, sod webworms, chinch bugs, and white grubs. Almost any pest that has one portion of its lifecycle in the soil can be combated by a variety of nematode.
Nematodes have started to enter the mainstream as they are now available to purchase at most major home centres and online. Nematodes are applied similar to many other pesticides through a water sprayer. It is ideal if the soil is pre-moistened and fully thawed before the first application. When you are planning your 2014 garden, think about your past pest problems. It is possible beneficial nematodes may work for you.
Source: rimolgreenhouses.com
