Ecology Center Store: Now Selling Bugs. (Seriously)
Beneficial Nematodes are microscopic critters that prey on a wide variety of insect pests. The Nematodes and bacteria that they bring with them enter and infect the bodies of their hosts and grow and reproduce rapidly, consuming the host as they do so. Because they kill so quickly, they’ve evolved to prey on a wide variety of insects. Most important to a lot of us, they are an effective outdoor control for fleas! In addition, they kill thrips, fungus gnats, weevils and cutworms among many others.
Nematodes do have specific condition needs to survive, with a range of limitations including availability of prey, soil temperature, dampness, light, and others, which means that it’s most effective to replenish their population buy re-introducing them every 4-6 weeks while insect pests are a problem.
The Nematodes are packaged on a refrigerated sponge, so you have to ask for them at the cash register. Use one package per 3,000 square feet, or one per 1,500 square feet for controlling fleas. $13.46 per package.
Cool!
