After devoting so much time to the garden, it is of course annoying when it is suddenly plagued by pests. One of the most harmful to plants is the grub, a fleshy larva that, depending on the species, feeds on the roots of plants over several years and thus kills them. So what do you do about it? There are various home remedies that can be used to combat grubs. Today we will explain to you how you can use nematodes against grubs.
Which beetle larvae are harmful?
Not all beetle larvae harm your plants. Rose beetle larvae, for example, only feed on dead plant parts and thereby improve the soil. So before you take action against grubs, it's worth identifying them. However, if it is the curlew beetle, garden leaf beetle or cockchafer, you should act as soon as possible. But how exactly do you use nematodes against grubs and what are they actually?
What are nematodes?
Nematodes are roundworms that can be harmful, but not if you choose the right genera to combat pests. If this is the case, the worm ensures that the pests are eliminated, as we have already told youregarding fungus gnatshave explained. To do this, it penetrates its victim and releases bacteria into its body, which then decomposes it from the inside. Once the nematode's food source disappears, it too dies, so you get rid of both invaders.
Heterorhabditis and Steinernema have proven effective in the fight against grubs and usually also work against the particularly stubborn May beetle larvae. But how effective the fight actually is also depends on a few other things that you should consider.
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How and when should nematodes be used against grubs?
On the one hand, it is important what stage of life the larva is in. This plays a particularly important role with cockchafers. The younger the beetle larva is, the easier it is to control it with nematodes. The first stage of life is ideal.
The right time of year and the frequency of spreading the nematodes should also not be underestimated, as follows:
- The larvae come out of hibernation in spring and are therefore still weakened, which is a good prerequisite for starting the fight.
- The months of April and May are optimal, but you should also pay attention to the weather, because if it is too cold, the nematodes are less effective against grubs and other pests. They get into the soil via the irrigation water and the temperature should not be below 8 degrees. So wait for a warmer phase of weather.
- In late summer, when new beetle larvae have hatched, you should apply nematodes against grubs again.
- To really get rid of all the grubs, repeat these two processes again the following year.
- You can easily buy nematodes. Then add it to irrigation water (also not too cold) and use it to water the affected plants and garden areas (raised beds or lawns, for example). You should throw out nematodes that have been dissolved in irrigation water immediately, as they will simply die after a while.
If you are looking for some home remedies for grubs, you canlook here.
