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

Aphid Midge (Aphidoletes aphidimyza) will tackle a wide range of aphid species and are particularly useful for controlling aphids in early and late season. 

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.

Adults actively hunt for aphid colonies - Once an adult female (around 2mm long) finds a colony she will lay her eggs next to it - The eggs hatch into highly visible orange larvae which feed on the colonies of all types of aphids. Up to 60 different species of aphid.  Larvae inject a poison into the aphid to paralyse it and dissolve the body contents.

The larvae take 7-16 days to mature before pupating in soil or compost and adults emerge after 10-14 days.  You can read the instructions for this product HERE.

Orders placed by 10am Monday will be despatched later in the week.  The smaller size packs, 250 cocoons are only available March - September.

Amblyseius Andersoni is primarily used to prevent a spider mite infestation (especially in houseplants) or as an out of season control rather than as a solution for a bad infestation.   It's an excellent product for catching the spider mites as they come out of hibernation in the early spring.  

The sachets contain a breeding colony of mites that crawl out slowly over a period of 4-6 weeks stopping an infestation from taking hold.  If you already have spider mites in large numbers please use Phytoseiulus first.

These predatory mites are widely used in commercial glasshouses to control unwanted plant pests.  Amblyseius Andersoni is used to treat different species of Red Spider Mite (Tetranychus spp. and Panonychus spp.) Fuchsia Gall Mites, Pear Blister Mites, Rust Mites, Boxus Mite and Thrips, it can tolerate a wide range of high and low temperatures 6°C to 40°C, making it a great early season control. 

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.

Highly refined soap made from natural oils which acts as a contact insecticide with no residual effects once it has dried.

Sold in 250ml bottles.  The soap has a gel like consistency, it is more liquid at warm temperatures.  This is completely normal.  Spray bottle not included.

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.