Is your lawn heavily damaged by white grubs? Applying entomopathogenic nematodes, along with good lawn-care practices can reduce their population. In order for the treatment against white grubs to be effective, however, it is important to follow the instructions on the label carefully.
What are entomopathogenic nematodes?
Entomopathogenic nematodes are microscopic worms that are parasitic on white grubs. After penetrating the grubs’ body cavities through natural openings, they release bacteria. The bacteria then multiply and quickly kill the white grubs, which turn from creamy white to reddish brown. The nematodes feed on the nutrients provided by the bacteria and the decomposing tissues of the white grubs. They reproduce inside these carcasses, and the juveniles then attack new white grubs.
The two main species of entomopathogenic nematodes commercialised in Québec are: Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Steinernema carpocapsae. The first species burrows up to 20 cm underground, while the second stays closer to the surface, at depths of about 7 to 8 cm.
Where to buy them?
Products available on the market contain one or many nematode species. They can be purchased from some garden centres and nurseries, department stores and specialized biological control companies.
Note that entomopathogenic nematodes pose absolutely no health risk for humans, animals, plants or the environment.
When and how to apply them
It is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations as to when to apply nematodes.
The best time to apply nematodes is generally from the end of July to mid-September, depending on the product used. For optimum nematode activity, the soil temparature should be around 20°C, but it may somewhat vary depending on the species of nematodes inthe product. In addition, white grubs are relatively small and most vulnerable at the end of the summer.
Springtime treatments are generally not effective, because the soil is often toot cold and white grubs are more mature (larger and more difficult to parasite).
Choosing a product
Different products are available on the market. In order to know which species of nematodes are in the formulation, read the label carefully. Note that not all nematode species can parasitize all types of white grubs since they are larvae of different insect species (June beetle, European chafer and Japanese beetle).
A tip : choose the product according to the insect that was predominantly present the previous year or opt for a formulation that contains several nematode species in order to broaden the action spectrum.
- Check the expiry date on the package before buying any product. After that date, the survival rate of nematodes may have an impact on the effectiveness of the treatment.
- If the product needs to be refrigerated, nematodes must be kept cool until you are ready to use them. Make sure that they have been kept refrigerated by the seller. Take them home in a cooler and then store them in the refrigerator.
- Water your lawn deeply before treating it, or apply nematodes after a heavy rain. Nematodes disperse in the soil with water, hence the importance of keeping the soil moist, but not soggy.
- Apply the treatment in the evening or on a cloudy or rainy day, because nematodes are sensitive to ultraviolet rays.
- Nematodes are usually sold in concentrated form on a damp sponge or in powdered clay. Before application, they must be mixed with tepid water. Follow the instructions on the label to prepare the mixture.
- Remove any fine-meshed filters if you are using a sprayer.
- Shake the watering can or sprayer frequently while applying nematodes in order to keep them in suspension.
- Water your lawn deeply after the treatment and then keep the soil moist for at least a week. Contact your municipality or borough if a temporary lawn-watering permit is necessary.
NB: Nematodes are not very effective in compact soil. If your soil is hard-packed, it should be aerated and top-dressed (ideally in spring) before you apply any nematodes.
* This information is intended only as a guide. Always read product labels carefully. Various factors may affect the efficacy of any treatment. The Jardin botanique does not assume any responsibility in this regard.
Je, nyasi yako imeharibiwa sana na mabuu meupe? Kutumia nematodes entomopathogenic, pamoja na mazoea mazuri ya utunzaji wa nyasi inaweza kupunguza idadi yao. Hata hivyo, ili matibabu dhidi ya minyoo meupe yawe yenye matokeo, ni muhimu kufuata kwa uangalifu maagizo yaliyo kwenye lebo. Ni nini nematodes entomopathogenic? nematodes Entomopathogenic ni minyoo microscopic kwamba ni parasitic juu ya larvae nyeupe. Baada ya kupenya katika mashimo ya mwili wa mabuu kupitia mashimo ya asili, wao hutoa bakteria. Kisha bakteria hizo huongezeka na kuua haraka mabuu meupe, ambayo hubadilika kutoka rangi nyeupe-nyeupe hadi rangi ya kahawia-nyekundu. Nematodi hula virutubisho vinavyotolewa na bakteria na tishu zinazoharibika za mabuu meupe. Wao huzaa ndani ya mifupa hiyo, na kisha vijana hao huwashambulia mabuu mapya meupe. Aina mbili kuu za nematodes entomopathogenic commercialized katika Quebec ni: Heterorhabditis bacteriophora na Steinernema carpocapsae. Aina ya kwanza huchimba shimo chini ya ardhi hadi sentimita 20, wakati aina ya pili hukaa karibu na uso wa ardhi, kwa kina cha sentimita 7 hadi 8. Zinaweza kununuliwa wapi? Bidhaa zinazopatikana sokoni zina spishi moja au nyingi za nematodes. Wanaweza kununuliwa kutoka baadhi ya vituo vya bustani na nurseries, maduka makubwa na makampuni maalumu ya udhibiti wa kibiolojia. Kumbuka kwamba nematodes entomopathogenic si hatari kabisa kwa afya ya watu, wanyama, mimea au mazingira. Wakati na jinsi ya kutumia: Ni muhimu kufuata mapendekezo ya mtengenezaji kuhusu wakati wa kutumia nematodes. Wakati bora wa kutumia nematodes kwa ujumla ni kutoka mwisho wa Julai hadi katikati ya Septemba, kulingana na bidhaa kutumika. Kwa ajili ya utendaji bora wa nematode, joto la udongo linapaswa kuwa karibu 20 ° C, lakini linaweza kutofautiana kidogo kulingana na spishi ya nematodes katika bidhaa. Kwa kuongezea, mabuu meupe ni madogo na huwa hatarini zaidi mwishoni mwa majira ya kiangazi. Matibabu ya majira ya kuchipua kwa ujumla si ufanisi, kwa sababu udongo ni mara nyingi tooth baridi na magugu nyeupe ni kukomaa zaidi (kubwa na vigumu zaidi kwa vimelea). Kuchagua bidhaa Bidhaa tofauti zinapatikana sokoni. Ili kujua ni spishi zipi za nematodes zilizo katika kiungo hicho, soma lebo hiyo kwa uangalifu. Ni muhimu kutambua kwamba si aina zote za nematodes zinaweza kuambukiza aina zote za magugu meupe, kwani ni mabuu ya spishi tofauti za wadudu (mwitu wa Juni, chafer ya Ulaya na mwitu wa Kijapani). Chagua bidhaa kulingana na wadudu ambao walikuwa wengi mwaka uliopita au chagua formula ambayo ina spishi kadhaa za nematode ili kupanua wigo wa hatua. - Angalia tarehe ya kumalizika kwa matumizi kwenye kifurushi kabla ya kununua bidhaa yoyote. Baada ya tarehe hiyo, kiwango cha kuishi cha nematodes kinaweza kuwa na athari kwa ufanisi wa matibabu. - Kama bidhaa inahitaji kuwa refrigerated, nematodes lazima kuhifadhiwa baridi mpaka wewe ni tayari kutumia yao. Hakikisha kwamba zimehifadhiwa kwenye friji na muuzaji. Weka nyumbani katika chombo cha baridi na kisha uweke kwenye friji. - Mnyunyize maji kwa kina kabla ya kuitunza, au tumia nematodes baada ya mvua kubwa. Nematodes huenea katika udongo pamoja na maji, kwa hiyo ni muhimu kuweka udongo wenye unyevunyevu, lakini si mvua. - Tumia matibabu jioni au siku yenye mawingu au mvua, kwa sababu nematodes ni nyeti kwa miale ya ultraviolet. - Nematodes kwa kawaida huuzwa katika fomu ya mkusanyiko juu ya sifongo mvua au katika udongo unga. Kabla ya matumizi, ni lazima kuchanganywa na maji ya joto. Fuata maagizo yaliyo kwenye lebo ili kutayarisha mchanganyiko huo. - Kuondoa yoyote filters fine-meshed kama wewe ni kutumia sprayer. - Shake maji unaweza au sprayer mara kwa mara wakati wa kutumia nematodes ili kuwaweka katika kusimamishwa. - Nyunyizia nyasi yako maji sana baada ya kutibu na kisha uweke udongo ukiwa na unyevu kwa angalau juma moja. Wasiliana na manispaa yako au wilaya ikiwa ruhusa ya muda ya kunyunyizia nyasi inahitajika. NB: Nematodes si ufanisi sana katika udongo compact. Ikiwa udongo wako ni mgumu, unapaswa kupeperushwa hewa na kuvalishwa (kwa vyema katika majira ya kuchipua) kabla ya kutumia nematodes yoyote. * Habari hii ni kwa ajili ya mwongozo tu. Sikuzote soma mabango ya bidhaa kwa uangalifu. Kuna mambo mbalimbali yanayoweza kuathiri ufanisi wa matibabu yoyote. Jardin botanique haina kuchukua wajibu wowote katika suala hili.