nematodes
carly sharpe
Posts: 2
Has anyone else had any success with nematodes as a slug pevention, I read this article http://theallotmentgardenerstale.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-slugs-are-coming.html and it seems fantastic? Is it worth the money.?
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I don't have any experience of using nematodes, but I do use this.
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It is approved by the Soil Association, is organic, and is based on ferric phosphate, is water resistant, and breaks down into fertiliser. And it can be used 365 days a year, whereas nematodes only work April to October, and has no special storage requirements:
http://www.which.co.uk/news/2011/03/slug-pellets-247120/
What I don't understand is why it is not better promoted as a cheap convenient alternative to metaldehyde slug pellets. Is there something I am missing? Is there a problem with it that I am unaware of? Or has it just got a bad name by association - blue pellets etc.?
I used the nematodes last year, and it seemed to improve things (they are quite expensive, so I targeted the really vulnerable bits of my borders - delphiniums and irises - and it did keep them away). I am waiting for things to warm up a bit before I order some more for this year. I think April is normally ok to start, but this one has been a bit unusual ....
Ive used nemaslug quite a few times in the past and its fantastic stuff, especially during periods like last year when there were the extended wet periods (that lasted almost the whole summer). The downside is that it is expensive, but I suppose it depends on how much you value the crops / hostas - there is nothing worse in my opinion than munching on a strawberry to find a juicy slug inside.
Chickys tip is spot on about applying it to borders, I would also apply it to your key crops e.g. Lettuce, Potatoes, Strawberries, hosta's if you have enough. The cheapest place I have found them is Nematodes Direct at 10.49 with free P&P.
I use them every year and they work wonders, especially for my poor hostas!
Definitely worth the money, in my opinion - I use the vine weevil ones too.
I use nematodes every year in my container hostas with excellent results however you still need protection against snails as nematodes only eradicate slugs within the soil so I still use scattering of pellets less often than usually have to