Beneficial nematodes

Introduction

Gardener friends, where do you buy beneficial nematodes? I'm specifically after nematodes to control white grubs in the lawn. There are various kinds of white grubs, but they are mostly japanese beetles or chafers. The HB nematode will kill these plus June bugs, termite queens, ticks and many other pests.

There are at least three species of beneficial nematodes, and they are specific to different types of pest.

• SC Steinernema carpocapsae
• SF Steinernema feltiae
• HB Heterorhabditis bacteriophora

HB is the kind you want for white grub control.

see http://www.gardeninsects.com/beneficialNematodes.asp

Buy Fresh

Arbico, and all reputable sources emphasize that since nematodes are live worms, that they can only last if stored in the refrigerator for up to two, possibly 4 weeks at approximately 40-41 degrees. Do NOT freeze. Do NOT store at room temperature. They require next day or 2-day shipping and must avoid heat and UV light. If you find a local source, you should be sure that the nematodes are "fresh". You can check nematode viability by examining them in a backlit shallow tray using a monocular, or else using a microscope. Nematodes should be curvy, never straight. Straight nematodes are dead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apcyw4UzApU

Learning more

Ohio State University is home to the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center where I found this great PowerPoint pictorial review of biological control of pests in landscaping: http://entomology.osu.edu/~bugdoc/Shetlar/BugDocPages/SlideShows/biocontinlandscapesnotes.ppt

Original Sources of Nematodes

The "Bug Lady" links to producers http://www.bugladyconsulting.com/Suppliers%20of%20beneficial%20insects.htm but unfortunately none were very close geographically, and so I wanted to find a local source.

Buying online

• Garden's Alive in Indiana sells 50 million for $100
• Natural Insect Control in Canada sells 50 million for $110 ("produced on a live host")
• Koppert Biological in Michigan sells 50 million for $45 They say that covers 1-2,000 sq. feet. Their only other size is 500 million for $283.46
• Arbico in Arizona sells 50 million for $70 Their "large ranch" 500 million size is $379
• Griffin Greenhouse Supply distributes BioWorks Nemashield HB 50 mil. for $45. Order by phone if you're not already a customer.
• GrowOrganic.com sells 50 million HB for $75

Application Rates

http://blog.bugsforgrowers.com/natural-predators/entomopathogenic-nematodes/beneficial-nematodes/how-to-deploy-your-nematode-army-and-kill-insect-pests/ has a table suggesting application of 1 Billion per acre. However, at least one long-time seller advertises that rates were calculated in comparison to chemical insecticides measuring kill rates in 72 hours which heavily favors chemical applications that work on contact and need to be re-applied to do any more work whereas nematodes reproduce and continue to kill more and more pests for weeks and weeks.

The application instructions for NemaShield from BioWorks is the same 1 Billion per acre, with 2 Billion per acre for moderate to higher infestations. At that rate, it's a VERY expensive proposition: over $840 per acre (plus shipping). Also, although Japanese beetle grubs can be controlled at lower application rates, apparently chafer beetle grubs need application rates as high as 2-3 billion/acre.

One package contains at least 50 million nematodes (sufficient for approximately 2,000 sq. ft. under low to low-moderate infestation). The nematodes should be applied as soon as insect larvae and/or damage is expected or observed. Large packages containing 500 million nematodes are available. Recommended application per acre is a minimum of 1 billion nematodes; 2 billion nematodes should be applied under moderate to higher infestation (50 million nematodes per 1,000 sq. ft.).

I don't have practical experience or test data, but I'm hoping that you can get away with lower application rates with the proper handling and application (including moisture in the soil before and after application to improve mobility). The rate mentioned by Arbico is 50 million per acre, and suggests that you apply twice. That translates to $140 plus shipping (for two "farm size" packages of 50 mil.). I've since called Griffin Greenhouse supply and talked to their technical rep who said that you do need to apply at a rate of 1 billion per acre. She advised that BASF sells the same organism for less; and also that I could test the product on a smaller 1,000 sq. foot area before deciding to treat the whole lawn. Be sure to know how you're going to apply the nematodes because you need to stir to avoid settling and also to avoid drowning the worms.

General Resources

UC Davis has a good guide to lawn care http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/TURF/PESTS/innem.html

Northeast Organic Farming Association
http://www.nofamass.org/
411 Sheldon Rd, Barre, MA 01005
(978) 355-2270

Did not have much info, but suggested Arbico "having heard good things about them".

Buy Local

The Herb Farmacy http://www.theherbfarmacy.com/ Spoke with Rita who tracked down info and called me back to say she would use Arbico

Pettengill Farm http://www.pettengillfarm.com/ Liana said she's interested in trying it on their farm. Also, she suggested I call Tim Lamprey at Harbor Gardens.

Harbor Gardens http://www.harborgardencenter.com/ They have SF, which is for different pests. They do not have the HB variety.

Beach Plum Farms http://www.beachplumnurseries.com/ Doesn't carry, but recommended

• http://www.gardensalive.com/good-bugs/c/452/
• http://www.johnnyseeds.com/
• http://www.highmowingseeds.com/ which is in VT, but appears to only sell organic seeds. They did refer me to NOFA, who in turn referred me to Arbico

Knapp's Greenhouses http://www.knappsgreenhouses.com/ (West Newbury) suggested Griffin's Greenhouse supply in Tewksbury.

Griffin's Greenhouse Supply http://griffins.com Griffin's is a pretty big operation, but founded locally, and headquartered in Tewksbury, MA They are preferred distributors of BioWorks. Their 2014 catalog lists a product from Bioworks at $45 for 50 million and $217 for 500 million (and price breaks on volume orders - see below).

• 800-659-4346 ordering
• x89129 for technical

A nice thing about BioWorks is that they are located in Victor, NY - making it the closest producer that I was able to find.

BioWorks Regional Contact

Mark Farnham
BioWorks, Inc
Cell: (860) 874-8253
Fax: (860) 239-1005
Email: mfarnham@bioworksinc.com

Griffins also distributes Becker-Underwood (now part of BASF)

BECKER	70-2495  Nemasys G 2 trays 250mil/tray = 500 million units
$160

So, it looks like you have to buy from the mega corp to get the lower price.