NEMATODES
What are Nematodes?
Nematodes are a commonly used biological control for many plant pests, microscopic beneficial nematodes (eel worms) which are watered into pots, trays or open ground.
Parasitic nematodes seek out suitable hosts by swimming in the thin film of water on soil particles.
Don't forget that these are live creatures, and cannot be stored - you can keep them in the fridge for a week or so, up until the use by date on the packet, but after that the nematodes will slowly die off.
What can you treat with Nematodes?
Nematodes are really popular for slugs, Vine Weevil, Chafer Grub, Leatherjacket, Ants and Fungus Gnat (Sciarid Fly). See below for the solutions we offer.
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15 products
15 products
Nemaslug Alternative
Treats 40 sqm - use when soil temperature is above 5°C. This is a great alternative to Nemaslug, it works in exactly the same way.
We supply packs of microscopic beneficial nematodes, Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, (eelworms) which are watered into pots or open ground. This is a perishable product, do not buy in advance.
You can read the application instructions HERE.
Slugs eat leaves, stems and roots of plants, weakening them and often causing them to die.
They leave slimy trails over plants and soil, and are particularly devastating to seedlings and cuttings. Slugs leave their own individual scent trails so they can find their way home. There are other creatures (like caterpillars) who make big holes in leaves, but if you see the tell-tale slime, then slugs are the culprit!
Slugs come in many shapes and sizes and are commonplace around the garden, particularly in damp conditions.
Infestations are less serious in dry weather but tend to become a problem during prolonged rainy weather. An individual grey field slug has the potential to produce 90,000 grandchildren and has approximately 27,000 teeth!
They live underground during the day, emerging at night to feed. One cubic metre of garden will on average contain up to 200 slugs.
We supply packs of microscopic beneficial nematodes, Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, which are watered into pots or open ground with a watering can or hose. They enter the slug through a hole in its back while it is underground and poison it so that it will die within a few days underground, out of sight.
Save your houseplants and seedlings from Sciarid fly/Fungus gnats and larvae damage with our best selling solution. (Steinernema Feltiae/Carpocapsae mix).
The adult sciarid flies live on and around the compost surface of pots, more commonly indoors rather than outside. The flies themselves are an unsightly nuisance but most of the damage is caused actually by their young. The small white larvae live in the compost and feed on the tender roots of plants and cuttings. They will also come to the surface to feed.
You need to control both the adults and the larvae or you will not break the cycle.
For the adults use the new eco yellow sticky traps, you get 5 (12cm x 5cm) traps.
For the larvae nematodes are watered onto deal with the larvae underground. Parasitic nematodes seek out suitable hosts by swimming in the thin film of water on soil particles, locating hosts by detecting carbon dioxide and other waste products.
Once they find a host, they enter the body cavity through the breathing or feeding systems, and release bacteria (Xenorhabdus). The bacteria kills the host within hours, and the nematodes grow and reproduce within the 'broth', which they produce. The next generation of infective juveniles leaves the dead host, and moves in search of fresh hosts. You can read the nematode instructions HERE.
A second treatment of nematodes may be required depending on the level of infestation and the life cycle stage of the pest.
Vine Weevil nematodes are watered into pots or open ground with a watering can or hose, killing the vine weevil grubs.
Use as soon as the soil temperature reaches 5°C. The parasitic nematodes enter the grub, poisoning it and then feeding off it to increase their numbers.
Sold in 2 sizes.
Biological controls are not always kept in stock, they are ordered in fresh. This can sometimes lead to a time lag between when you place the order and when it is despatched. Order by 10am Monday for same week despatch.
Save your houseplants and seedlings from Sciarid fly/Fungus gnats and larvae damage with our parasitic nematodes.
Biological controls are not always kept in stock, they are ordered in fresh. This can sometimes lead to a time lag between when you place the order and when it is despatched.
The adult fungus gnats/sciarid flies live on and around the compost surface of pots, more commonly indoors rather than outside. The flies themselves are an unsightly nuisance but most of the damage is caused actually by their young. The small white larvae live in the compost and feed on the tender roots of plants and cuttings. They will also come to the surface to feed.
Nematodes are more effective if the sciarid population is high. The nematodes are watered on, and attack the sciarid larvae underground. Parasitic nematodes seek out suitable hosts by swimming in the thin film of water on soil particles, locating hosts by detecting carbon dioxide and other waste products. Once they find a host, they enter the body cavity through the breathing or feeding systems, and release bacteria (Xenorhabdus). The bacteria kills the host within hours, and the nematodes grow and reproduce within the 'broth', which they produce. The next generation of infective juveniles leaves the dead host, and moves in search of fresh hosts.
You can read the instructions for the nematodes HERE.
Combine with yellow sticky traps for better control. A second treatment may be required depending on the level of infestation and the life cycle stage of the pest.
Chafer larvae can cause devastating damage to lawns. We supply microscopic beneficial nematodes (eel worms) which are watered into the lawn. The ground needs to be above 12°C for this product to work. This product is not sold during the colder months.
The best time to apply chafer grub control is at the end of the summer, when the newly hatched grubs will be at their most vulnerable. However if you find after a warm spring that the grubs are a problem even before they have pupated in May, then you may want to treat them at the beginning of the season. The treatment may be more effective in Autumn than in spring, but if your lawn is suffering then some treatment is better than none.
Some of the Chafer damage is caused by the grubs chewing at the roots of the grass, but much of it is caused by birds and animals scratching away at the soil searching for the juicy grubs.
Save your lawn from damage with these beneficial nematodes (Steinernema feltiae). Best used against leatherjackets in the later summer, soil must be above 10°C for application.
Sold in 2 sizes. Orders placed by 10am Monday will be despatched later in the week.

Fruit and Veg Protection Nematodes (Steinernema Feltiae/Carpocapsae mix)
From £9.00
Unit price perFruit and Veg Protection Nematodes (Steinernema Feltiae/Carpocapsae mix)
From £9.00
Unit price perStop pests attacking your fruit and vegetables with nematodes.
These multitarget parasitic nematodes target all a range of pests including; Codling Moth, Shore Fly, Sciarid Fly, Caterpillars, Root Fly, Gooseberry Sawfly, asparagus beetle larvae, wireworm, viburnum beetle larvae and more.
Sold in packs of 1 x 60 sqm, 2 x 60 sqm or 3 x 60 sqm, you can read the instructions for these nematodes HERE.
Biological controls are not always kept in stock, they are ordered in fresh. This can sometimes lead to a time lag between when you place the order and when it is despatched. Order by 10am Monday for same week despatch.
We offer an effective nematode treatment to get rid of ants in your garden.
These nematodes deter ants, driving them out of their nests and making them go elsewhere. Do not purchase until soil temperatures are above 10°C. The species of nematode contained in the pack is steinernema feltiae.
Biological controls are not always kept in stock, they are ordered in fresh. This can sometimes lead to a time lag between when you place the order and when it is despatched. Order by 10am Monday for same week despatch.
Indoors this nasty pest can be present all year round, as temperatures and hours of daylight rise you may find bigger infestations and problems outdoors.
You can treat scale with nematodes, solution is sprayed on to the leaves of affected plants. The nematodes 'swim' on the film of water allowing them to enter the scale insect and kill them.
The temperature must be above 14°C for treatment to work and you must follow the steps below carefully but this provides a really great way of controlling scale. You can red the full instructions for the nematodes HERE.
Trap adult Vine Weevil - These brilliant traps are simple wooden tiles with grooves cut in the underside filled with nematodes.
We are so pleased to be able to offer these traps, Vine Weevil plague so many of our customers and, up til now, we have only be able to offer nematodes for the young larval stage see those here.
Two weeks after putting the traps down you could see a 80 -100% reduction in Vine Weevil!
How about ditching the bucket and maths involved in applying nematodes?
This great bit of kit allows you to apply nematodes using your hose, a measuring jug and a stirrer. It's also a timesaver and great for applying nematodes to large or high up areas.
Opening and closing the sprayer
Bend the plastic tab so that the round sprayer button can be turned 90 degrees. The sprayer is now ready to use.
Full Instructions
1. Mix the entire contents of the nematode sachet with 1 litre of lukewarm water and stir until the product is completely dissolved. This will leave you with the nematode concentrate.
2. Use a funnel, or measuring cup, and pour the required amount of concentrate into the Nema Super Sprayer. Top this up with tap water. Correct application amounts are detailed below in Table 1.
3. Attach the sprayer head to the bottle.
4. Shake the Nema Super Sprayer to mix the nematodes in the liquid.
5. Connect a garden hose to the Nema Super Sprayer.
6. Open the water tap and start spraying, moving the sprayer gently back and forth. Start with the most damaged areas and continue spraying all the areas where you suspect the presence of pests.
• After 3 - 5 minutes (depending on the water pressure) all of the nematodes will have been applied to the soil, or plants, and the Nema Super Sprayer will be empty.
• Repeat the application steps as often as indicated in the refill table below.
• Clean all parts of the Nema Super Sprayer thoroughly with water after use.
Table 1
Save your fruit from caterpillar damage with nematodes applied in September and October.
These multitarget parasitic nematodes target Codling Moth & Oriental Fruit Moth and are best treated September/October and when air temperatures are 14°C to 30°C.
You can read the instructions for the nematodes HERE.
Nemaslug alternative
Slug nematodes can be used once your soil temperature is above 5°C. Check your soil temperature here. Do not buy nematodes more than a week before application.
We supply packs of microscopic beneficial nematodes (eelworms) which are watered into pots or open ground. You can read the application instructions HERE.
Use as soon as soil temperature reach 5°C and every 6 weeks to keep slugs at bay. This pack treats 40 sqm. You can order individual packs or multiple packs delivered at 6 week intervals. Click here for 100 sqm.
Got a question about using nematodes? You may find the answer here
Nemaslug or alternative
These nematodes can be used once your soil temperature is above 5°C. Check your soil temperature here. Do not buy nematodes more than a week before application.
We supply packs of microscopic beneficial nematodes (eelworms) which are watered into pots or open ground. Use as soon as soil temperature reach 5°C and every 6 weeks to keep slugs at bay. This pack treats 100 sqm. Click here for 40 sqm
A new pest control solution designed for preventative control of fungus gnat larvae and other soil-dwelling pests. This innovative formulation contains nematodes encapsulated within an organic, biodegradable, residue-free coating that release nematodes gradually into the growing media, providing long-term control.
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Novel formulation: Encapsulated in pearl-like, biodegradable capsules for controlled release
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Preventative control: Effective against fungus gnat and thrips larvae and some other soil pests
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Extended storage life: Maintained for more than 8 weeks.
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Environmentally friendly: Made from organic, food-grade materials with zero microplastics, meaning it dissolves without residues.
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Water-efficient: Uses significantly less water than traditional nematode applications
Formulation
Capsule structure: The capsule is made up of a liquid core containing active nematodes which are surrounded by an alginate coating. This shell maintains the internal moisture of the capsule which ensures nematode survivability.
Slow release: The coating gradually becomes permeable after approximately one-week post-application, allowing the nematodes to migrate into the surrounding soil and actively seek out the pests.
Extended action: Slow release of nematode into the soil allows for almost double the duration of control compared to traditional nematode applications.
How to apply
Insert capsules into the planting hole after sowing. Capsules can be applied using fertiliser dosing equipment on a potting machine.
Rate: One package of 200 capsules is enough for 20 pots with 12cm diameter or 8 pots with 20 cm diameter. The product can be kept in the fridge, check the pack for use by date.