This doesn’t refer to a hard rock combo from the mid-70s, but with a name like that, they could have been!
The current trend is to move away from chemical-based products to more environmentally friendly alternatives. For better lawns and gardens we have seen a massive rise in the use of nematodes, but what are they?
Beneficial nematodes range from 1/25 inch to several inches long. They have slender, translucent, unsegmented bodies. Their roles in the garden vary. Some are soil dwellers that break down organic matter, here we are a chaffer beetle, which can be treated with nematodes in the larvae stage.
These nematodes combat a variety of pest species, including leather jackets, chafer grubs, ants and cutworms. They attack and kill these insects by either injecting deadly bacteria or enter the host, parasitically, and feed on it.
When adding them to a garden, it is very important to select the right species because different kinds of nematodes are effective against different pests. In addition, nematodes require moist, humid conditions and fairly warm soil to do their job well.
I have developed this aspect of our work and we are now into our third year of successfully using nematodes for lawns and borders.
A final word on nematodes. Once an order has been placed for a nematode treatment, this work needs to be completed within the agreed schedule. The product has a limited shelf life and has to be used within the time frame or it will die. If treatment is canceled we will need to raise a charge for the nematodes and any subsequent re-order.
