Tips and Tricks for Successful Pest Control with Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial nematodes can be a great alternative to chemical pesticides, and a very effective addition to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. However, beneficial nematodes are living organisms, and using them for pest control does require accurate information, proper storage and shipping, and careful application. Here are some of our top tips and tricks to help you be successful at killing pest insects with nematodes!

1. Ensure you are buying and applying fresh and living nematodes

Beneficial nematodes are living organisms, and they need to be living and active in order to provide effective insect pest control. Since a microscope is needed to see the nematodes, most buyers rely on their suppliers to provide them living organisms. For this reason, be sure to buy from a reputable supplier and be sure to buy beneficial nematodes as close to when you plan to apply as possible. Buying from a nematode producer directly gets you the freshest nematodes available. Check the use-by date on the package: in the refrigerator, our sprays keep for 3 weeks to 2 months, and our topdressings for up to a year. If you are having nematodes shipped to you, be sure they will be packed with cold packs and kept cool during shipment, and place them in the refrigerator (35 to 50°F) as soon as you receive them.

2. Apply at a high enough application rate to kill pest insects

If you start to shop around and do some research, you will quickly realize that there is a lot of conflicting information out there regarding how many nematodes you need to apply for effective pest control. BioLogic Company recommends treating at a fairly high application rate, about 25,000 nematodes per square foot, to ensure effective control. Beneficial nematodes can travel quite a bit vertically, but do not travel very far horizontally, so it is important to apply enough nematodes to effectively kill pest insects in the soil. Additionally, if you apply at high enough levels you can often get away with just one application a year rather than needing to reapply once some of the nematodes die off (depending on a number of factors including temperature, pest population and soil conditions).

3. Apply at the right time

Typically beneficial nematodes can be applied anytime the soil is not frozen. However, depending on which pests you are targeting, there may be an ideal time to apply for effective control based on the pests' life cycle. For example, for white grubs it is best to apply in late summer or early fall, or early spring, when the young grubs are most susceptible to nematodes, whereas any time of year is fine to apply for fungus gnats. BioLogic's Pest ID includes life cycle information for many common insect pests and provides our recommendation for the best time to apply beneficial nematodes. For all nematode applications we recommend applying in the evening to protect the nematodes (which are sensitive to UV light) from drying out. We also recommend watering the area to be treated well, both before and immediately after application.

4. Apply the best suited nematode species for your pest problem and environment

There are hundreds of thousands of types of nematodes, but only a few are commercially available for insect pest control in the United States. BioLogic Company produces 3 species of nematodes, which are well suited to target a wide range of pest insects. What Nematodes Should I Use? explains more about the 3 nematode species, and our Which nematode? page helps you decide which is right for your situation.

We hope these tips and tricks help you successfully control pest insects with beneficial nematodes. And remember, you can always contact us with any additional questions you may have!