We garden organically and apply beneficial nematodes to our yard to repel fleas, ticks, roaches, and ants. Since this is the first year we've grown any veggies, I'm wondering if it's okay to spray beneficial nematodes on the veggie beds. Anyone know if it's okay?
Beneficial Nematodes in the Garden
Shouldn't be a problem. Doesn't the packaging contain full instructions and warnings?
In England we use nematodes to control slugs. Last year a proposal to use them to control a plague of Spanish slugs nearly caused a pitched battle in the Swedish parliament. The point at issue was whether the nematodes were 'indigenous' to Sweden.
I don't know what information comes with the bugs. My DH is the one who usually does the applications and we just did one, but avoided the veggie beds (they're raised) just in case it wasn't good for them. Might need to do some more research about this.
they are good for cutworms too, so I don't see why they would hurt
I use them in the veggie garden, they are great for controlling cutworms. They just don't seem to last long here.
Calalilly, they probably don't last long because of the heat. We have to apply them 4 times a year. Once very early spring, one late spring and then again early fall and very late fall.
Are they any help with pill bugs/potato bugs those little things that roll up in a ball. They are destroying all my seedlings, I don't know what to do. I'm about to loose a few rare seedlings to them :(
Coffee grounds (leftover after brewing coffee) is a good defense for pill bugs. I've also had good success with crushed (not too finely) egg shells. I think the nematodes do help with the pill bugs, but those little guys are so prolific!
Crushe egg shells, like what size, pea? bebe?.....
I do them kinda chunky, but you can do them smaller. They range in size from quarter (very chunky) to pea size.
I wonder why the egg shells have an effect?
I think they don't like crawling over the sharp edges. It works for snails and slugs, too. I also read about a product called Sluggo Plus. It's an organic product, so it won't harm your soil or be bad for your veggies. You might look for that, too.
It looks like I might have to mail order the Sluggo Plus.