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Visitors to the Harrogate Spring Flower Show (24-27 April) flocked to the Nemaslug stand to see nematodes at work
attacking slugs. The bright and bold stand featured a central viewing area where visitors could see the nematodes through
the special magnifiers.
“It really helped people to understand how Nemaslug works in conjunction with nature to protect plants from slugs,” said
Sue Gibb, Becker Underwood’s customer services manager. “We could really show people the difference between plants
protected by Nemaslug and those not.”
A new free pest poster was also in great demand. To download a copy, click here.
[top]
Nematodes on Show
There's a new and very visual attraction on the show circuit this year - see slugs being attacked by nematodes! Becker
Underwood, the world's largest producer of beneficial nematodes and maker of Nemaslug slug killer, is exhibiting at
various shows this year. You can actually see the power of nematodes using the high powered magnifiers to view the tiny
creatures attacking slugs, crawling over them.
Show
Stand
When
Where
Opening Times
Harrogate Spring
Flower Show
S50
24 - 27 April
2008
Great Yorkshire Showground
09:30 to 17:30
Malvern Spring
Gardening Show
GSP/333
8 - 11 May
2008
The Malvern Show Ground
09:00 to 18:00
BBC Gardeners'
World Live
G298
11 - 15 June
2008
NEC Birmingham
09:00 to 18:00
RHS Hampton Court
B/9
8 - 13 July
Hampton Court Palace
10:00 to 19:30
RHS Tatton Park
D/120
23 – 27 July
2008
Tatton Park, near Knutsford
10:00 to 18:30
To download our FREE pest poster, available at the shows, click here.
[top]
New Nemasys Caterpillar and Codling Moth Killer
Home and garden Brassica and apple growers will be pleased to learn that the dreaded Cabbage White Caterpillar and Codling
Moths in fruit trees can be controlled by nematodes. Commercial growers have been successfully using the nematode
Steinernema carpocapse for some years on the two pests and now it is available to everyone.
The nematodes are applied directly to the cabbages and other brassicas as a wash. Three applications are used as soon as
you see the pest to kill caterpillars that will hatch over a period of time. Says allotment holder, Sue Hinton, "I was
amazed with the results when I used it. After the first application most of the caterpillars disappeared but you need to
use a further two applications five days or a week after each other to ensure all hatchings are killed. The solution
needs to be applied to all leaf surfaces and you need to make sure that you spray the pest. Pests not directly sprayed
will not be controlled so do make sure that you hit them."
Cabbage White Caterpillars are also responsible for eating ornamentals, especially nasturtiums.
For Codling Moths the nematodes are used to control the over wintering pupae on trees and ground from September. The
nematodes are applied with a pump sprayer during the evenings or on dull days.
Nemasys Codling Moth and Caterpillar Killer is a natural product, is safe to use on food products and is harmless to
children, pets and wildlife.
[top]
Nematodes and potatoes
Branston Ltd, one of the country's leading potato suppliers, is helping their growers discover just how good Nemaslug is
at controlling slugs. Based in Branston, Lincolnshire, with further production sites in Somerset and Scotland, the company
has an annual turnover of more than £100 million and is Tesco's largest fresh produce supplier, sourcing around 400,000
tonnes of potatoes a year.
Slugs are a serious and potentially very costly problem for potato growers, so Branston is keen to find an effective
solution. Following successful field trials in 2006, Branston encouraged a number of their growers to use Nemaslug during
2007. The initial target was to treat 100 hectares with Nemaslug, but due to the wet and humid season demand increased to
over 450 hectares.
"This year 30 of our growers tried Nemaslug and it was so successful that we are encouraging more of them use the product
in 2008," says Dr Andy Barker, R&D Manager at Branston.
Branston recommends Nemaslug to its growers and supports them to ensure its correct application. Keeled slugs (Milax &
Tandonia spp.) are particularly problematic in potatoes as they are more active underground and therefore harder to
control with conventional pesticide pellets. "Nemaslug works well in the places that pellets can't reach," says Andy.
Water is key to successful growth and also to enable nematodes to reach the slugs underground. When the weather is dry
the nematodes need to be watered in well. In the garden, the judicious use of a hose pipe or sprinkler is sufficient to
wash them in. Branston and Becker Underwood are collaborating to develop application through the standard raingun so that
growers will be less reliant on the weather.
"We're keen to encourage the use of Nemaslug, either as a continuous programme or in conjunction with other modes of
control as part of our Integrated Crop Management strategy (ICM)," continues Andy. "As Branston supplies Tesco and
follows the Nature's Choice guidelines, reducing the number of slug pellets used is very attractive. Using environmentally
friendly controls, such as Nemaslug, can help towards a greener environment and a more sustainable approach to slug
control."
[top]
Stonehenge siege lifted
English Heritage is winning its battle against invading forces at Stonehenge, Wiltshire thanks to native nematodes.
Hosting 800,000 human visitors a year is one thing, but when the famous landmark found chafer grubs plaguing its grass
pathways, the world-renowned visitor attraction needed help! It came in the form of Nemasys Chafer Grub Killer, produced
by Becker Underwood, the world's largest producer of nematodes, which was applied to 5000 sq m of grass to the south-east
of the stones.
Chafer grubs, one of the top ten garden pests according to the RHS, had caused problems for years by eating the grass
roots. This was exacerbated by jackdaws pulling up the grass to seek out the grubs, resulting in unsightly bald patches.
Add to that the constant flow of visitors and English Heritage had to keep moving visitor paths away from the damage that
encircled the famous stones. There was yet another problem too - when the chafer grubs hatched, the resulting swarm of
beetles would fly up at the visitors who found it extremely off putting to say the least.
Due to the large number of visitors including children and with local wildlife and sheep grazing in the neighbouring
fields, there was no way that English Heritage wanted to resort to chemicals so they had to come up with a natural
environmentally friendly solution - Nemasys Chafer Grub Killer. Within a week of the first application, back in September
2006, the secondary damage from wildlife reduced considerably. A review of the result in April 2007 has led English
Heritage to order more Nemasys Chafer Grub Killer - enough to treat an area twice the size of the original application.
Says English Heritage's Chris Bally, Landscape manager for Stonehenge and the south-west, "Nemasys Chafer Grub Killer has
cured the treated areas. We found it extremely effective and chafer grubs have not caused us a problem at all this year
on the treated areas. Now we are targeting other infected areas and hopefully we will not have a chafer grub problem at
all in a couple of years."
[top]
World wide web shows the power of Nematodes
We are often asked “how do nematodes work?” So now, there’s a new free game on the internet at
www.sluginvaders.com that demonstrates, in a light hearted and
fun way, that nematodes seek out and destroy slugs. We will be monitoring the hits on the website so it will be
interesting to see how many people play the game over the coming months. Try it and pass it on. In this edition of
Nemasys News we tell you all about the new developments in Nemasys products plus we feature stories of school children’s
experiences of using nematodes. We also have a new free internet game and website that have been designed to show everyone
how safe and effective the products are.
In addition, there’s a new website www.safegardens4u.co.uk
that shows how safe and easy nematodes are to apply. So for the Nemasys pest control range, comprising brand leader
Nemaslug, Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer, Leatherjacket Killer and Chafer Grub Killer, there’s lots of news in 2007!
“We wanted more people, especially not so keen gardeners, to know about nematodes and how they worked,” says Becker
Underwood’s European general manager, Dr. Graeme Gowling. “www.sluginvaders.com
is a fun game that shows everyone how nematodes kill slugs. The game will appeal to adults and children, gardeners and
non-gardeners alike. It’s based on the old space invaders game, which is seeing a resurgence in popularity. Your highest
score is shown, so you can go back time and again to see if you can beat it. The bright and cheerful new website
www.safegardens4u.co.uk complements the existing
www.nemasysinfo.com website and highlights the safety benefits
of using nematodes to kill slugs, vine weevil, chafer grubs and leatherjackets. It is an animated site where you can
click on different parts of two gardens to see what happens when you apply various products.”
[top]
Control slugs now to avoid high populations
Gardeners are discovering that there are more slugs around this spring. As allotment holders spring dig they are
discovering slugs active beneath the surface and early food crops are getting damaged by slugs. Touch the compost heap,
pick your daffodils, move a slab or a flowerpot and there are plenty of slugs to be found. Normally at this time of the
year, with more severe frosts about, there would be fewer slugs.
The garden centres are enjoying a boom from early gardeners and the slugs are enjoying early meals on customer purchases.
This spring has been wet and humid so far and Becker Underwood are enjoying lots of early sales of Nemaslug. Gardeners
should act now to keep this year’s overall slug population down. The weather this spring promises to see large numbers
of slugs hatching throughout the year. We had a wet and humid spring 2006, which led to a bumper crop of eggs being laid
last autumn, followed by a mild winter and now a humid spring. This all equates to a boom in the slug population.
Slugs are still the number one garden pest in Britain. Each grey field slug can have up to 90,000 grandchildren, each with
around 27,000 teeth, looking to consume it’s own body weight each day. Each cubic metre of soil contains an average of 200
slugs with up to 95% of them below the soil surface where pellets can’t get at them. By applying nematodes now you will
reduce the slug numbers for the rest of the year because you are killing the slugs that have over wintered and hatched
early. More people are taking advantage of planned programmes, which means nematodes arrive on your doorstep just when
you need them.
[top]
New, quicker application
Also new for 2007 - simplified application instructions for all products, making it even quicker and easier to apply.
Gardeners now have the choice of applying by watering can using the new quick 2-step approach or by using a recommended
hose end feeder. Becker Underwood has also re-designed the packaging to meet the latest postal regulations on size and
added striking new images.
Nematode sales continue to increase as more and more gardeners find out how effective they are. With increasing concerns
over safety, especially on food crops and on lawns where children and pets play, people appreciate that Nemaslug and
Nemasys products are safe for children, pets and wildlife.
To apply with a hose end feeder, Becker Underwood recommends either the Phostrogen™ Handy Feeder or the Miracle-Gro™
Feeder. Full instructions on applying with a feeder can be found at
www.nemasysinfo.com.
[top]
Safety with Nematodes
If you use chemical pest controls you have to follow strict safety precautions indicated on the pack, especially in
regard to children, pets and wildlife.
For example chemical controls for chafer grubs and leatherjackets have implications for grazing animals, which should be
excluded from the ground for four weeks after application. This can mean finding other grassed areas for your rabbit or
horse to graze. Nematodes have been especially useful in controlling chafer grubs at a Norfolk stud because, whilst
killing chafer grubs, Nemasys does not affect the horses. So with nematodes you do not have a safety issue.
In fact they are so safe that the pack says to store it in the fridge - to keep the nematodes fresh until they are used
before the expiry date.
[top]
Children successfully use Nematodes
As nematodes are completely safe and easy to mix, they have notched up notable success when applied by school children.
Here we recount some of their recent stories.
Teacher Lesley Hunter from Creavery Primary School in Antrim, Northern Ireland reported to Becker Underwood that in her
school grounds the children were growing perennials and vegetables. She didn’t have a particular problem with slugs but
the snails were in need of constant control as they were climbing everywhere. After using Nemaslug she said it was very
effective and there were no signs of slugs and the snail numbers had greatly reduced. “I am very impressed,” declared
Lesley.
Becker Underwood doesn’t specifically promote Nemaslug as a control for snails, but over the years gardeners have
reported that snails tend to keep away from ground that has been treated with nematodes. The Cardinal Wiseman School in
Coventry was one of the first of four schools to be designated a Rural Dimension School.
As part of their curriculum they teach rural science - half agriculture and half horticulture. Gardening is high on their
agenda and they have an active after school gardening club for the younger pupils as well.
In rural science they have to cover biological pest control and the children used Nemaslug on their hostas, lettuce and
indeed anything that was vulnerable to slugs. They drenched the ground at the end of June beginning of July and through
the summer had very little evidence of slugs. The pupils applied Nemaslug under supervision and used the experience as
learning initiatives in literacy, numeracy and biology.
Steve Thorpe from Haworth Primary School told Becker Underwood that the gardening club had always needed to use pellets
to control the slugs and that they had found that snails were an increasing problem over the past couple of years.
The gardening club grew cabbage, cauliflowers, brussels sprouts, carrots, beetroot, lettuce, peas and beans in their
raised vegetable beds. After using Nemaslug Steve said, “Nemaslug was very impressive in controlling our slug and snail
problems. It was very effective and thank you for telling us about it.”
[top]
And what’s more it is safe for bees...
The honeybee is only now found in beekeepers’ hives as there are no wild honeybees left in this country.
Bees have an extremely important role to play in food production and with native species constantly under threat from
parasites and other predators, gardeners are keen not to harm the bees that visit their plots. So if this is the case
why would gardeners want to use pesticides, and especially imidaclorprid, to make life even harder for the bee?
One of the statements on a chemical product recently introduced for the control chaffer grubs in lawns containing the
active ingredient imidaclorprid says...
Gardening is a popular pastime and massive numbers of container plants are produced yearly. However, many of the
insecticides used by commercial growers have been banned, such as aldrin which disappeared in 1989. Although this is
great news environmentally, vine weevil numbers have risen exponentially as a result and they've become a problem in many
gardens. And, as a native pest, they're always going to be around!
You can tell if you've got vine weevils because the adults eat characteristic circular notches in the edges of leaves,
usually choosing healthy evergreen plants. Although the damage looks awful, it's merely cosmetic - the serious damage is
happening underground where the larvae are active. These feed rapaciously on the roots, eventually causing the death of
the plant. If your plants are wilting as if they're dry, but the soil is moist, then give the leaves a gentle tug. If the
whole plant comes away in your hand, you may find that vine weevil larvae have eaten the roots. Many plants are affected,
especially those with fibrous root systems such as sedums, primulas and fuchsias. However, all containerised plants should
be checked regularly.
The most effective way of controlling the pest is by killing the larval stage - and to be successful at this, you need to
be aware of the life cycle. You can't kill the adults using insecticides and, being largely nocturnal, they're hard to see
unless you go out at night with a flashlight and pick them off by hand, then stamp on them hard - a satisfying sound! The
only stage you can kill easily is the larval stage.
One of the main problems is that all vine weevil adults are female and each produces hundreds of eggs parthenogenetically
ie without a mate. The eggs hatch to produce 'C' shaped, legless, larvae with a distinctive brown head - these feed
throughout late summer and autumn. During winter their feeding activity decreases as they move down into the ground, but
in spring they start feeding again. So the best time to treat the soil or compost is during the autumn, when the soil is
moist and above 5C. If the problem isn't severe, then treating the garden now should be adequate. However, you can also
treat during spring if the problem's severe.
Using a naturally-occurring nematode worm, Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer is the most effective way of controlling the pest
and is safe for children, pest and wildlife. The nematodes seek out the larvae and enter through natural body openings.
Once inside, they release bacteria that prevent the pest from feeding and it dies. The nematodes reproduce inside the
dead pest and release a new generation of hungry infective nematodes, which disperse and search for further prey.
Simply add the powder to a large bucket of water and mix thoroughly, then dilute it according to the instructions. Using
a watering can with a coarse rose or a hose-end feeder such as that produced by Miracle-Gro or Photrogen, water it on to
moist soil around the affected plants. Try to apply it during the evening to prevent it drying out and ensure the soil
remains wet so that the nematodes can move through the soil solution to find the larvae.
Bio® is a registered trademark of Bayer Crop Science. Slug Clear™ is a trademark of The Scotts Company and its
affiliates. Provado® is a registered trademark of Bayer AG. doff™ Slug Killer is a trade mark of Doff.
[top]
Natural versus chemical
The natural versus chemical approach to gardening has exponents on both sides claiming superiority and home gardeners are
bombarded with information through articles and adverts. Safety has become a major issue for many people. Chemical
manufacturers claim that their products are safe “when used as directed” and issue precautions on their packs. Here are
some prime examples:
However, it is when chemical products are not used or stored as directed that problems occur – and how many people really
follow the precautions and recommendations as strictly as they should? For example, there have been incidences of pets
dying after eating stored slug pellets. Wouldn’t it be simpler and safer to use alternative products that don’t have these
precautions attached to them?
In any event, do you want to put chemicals on such sensitive areas as lawns, where children and pets love to play?
Chemicals in the flowerbeds is one thing, but quite another on the lawn which you use and is a substantial part of your
garden. Especially when there are effective alternatives.
You will have noticed that Nemasys products are not accompanied by such precautions. This is precisely because they are
safe for children, pets and wildlife. Indeed they are so safe that the pack says to store it in the fridge – to keep the
nematodes in fine fettle until they are used in the garden before the expiry date.
For your lawn, Nemasys Leather Jacket Killer and Nemasys Chafer Grub Killer are established solutions that are readily
available, along with Nemaslug and Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer to protect valuable plants.
Bio® is a registered trademark of Bayer Crop Science. Slug Clear™ is a trademark of The Scotts Company and its
affiliates. Provado® is a registered trademark of Bayer AG. doff™ Slug Killer is a trade mark of Doff.
[top]
A vintage year?
2005 was a good year for crane flies! Whilst these insects should be left alone in the wild, lawn proud gardeners do not
necessarily want them in their ‘own back yard’. If your lawn is home to the leatherjacket grubs, (the grub stage of the
Daddy-Longlegs) then you are probably inviting unwanted wildlife guests in for dinner. For wildlife will visit your lawn,
dig it up and leave a mess in their search for food.
To combat leatherjackets use Nemasys Leather Jacket Killer, the nematode control. Nematodes are microscopic worms that
occur naturally in the soil but in insufficient numbers. Water Nemasys into your lawn during late August through to the
end of October when the leatherjackets are active. You will know when to apply because towards the end of August you will
see the adult crane flies and then a few days later they will lay their eggs. As the eggs hatch quickly, aim to apply two
weeks after you see the adults.
Chafer grubs do similar damage inviting similar predators. Chafer beetles emerge from the lawn in May/June and lay their
eggs in the ground in two weeks. The eggs hatch into grubs feeding on the grass roots in August and September before
burrowing deep into the ground. If you have an infestation, log it on the national site
www.chafersurvey.co.uk, where you will also find
details of how to combat this pest.
[top]
Louise's Rhododendrons were saved
At the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), Supervisor Louise Galloway is in the process of planning her next overseas
plant collecting expedition to collect rare Vireya Rhododendrons from South-East Asia. She recalls a time five years ago;
when she watched helplessly whilst her beloved recently rooted cuttings succumbed to Vine Weevil.
Looking at the sick plants a colleague, who knew of Becker Underwood’s work, told her about Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer
and Louise has not looked back since. “I spent so much time propagating the cuttings,” said Louise, “that I was really
upset when I lost the lot to vine weevil. We no longer have a problem because we now use Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer twice
a year, in the spring and autumn.”
“I find the instructions on the packaging extremely easy to understand, the Becker Underwood pie chart is excellent as it
explains the lifecycle of the Vine Weevil and therefore tells you exactly when to target the pest, the website is very
user friendly too!”
Particularly loving the Vireyas, Louise knows how devastating it can be to lose them to pests. Vine Weevil have a
particular liking for Rhododendrons. The plants that Louise looks after are slow growing and have very fine surface roots
susceptible to damage therefore it is very important to protect them. Louise is responsible for the world’s largest
collection of Vireya Rhododendrons. Starting with only and handful of plants in the 1950’s, through expeditions and
collaboration with the scientific and horticultural staff in Edinburgh and overseas, the RBGE now hold approximately 165
out of the known 300 species of Vireyas, in total 2,672 plants to protect!
Louise started her career in horticulture when she was a Saturday girl in the RBGE’s visitors’ shop. Her love of the
plants that she was surrounded with encouraged her into full time horticulture; with on the job experience and day
release she gained SVQs in Amenity Horticulture, later achieving an HND in Horticulture with Plantmanship on the full
time course at the Garden. Louise has a particular interest in Integrated Pest Management and now she is a qualified
BASIS pesticide advisor she is able to advise staff throughout the garden on pest control with more and more of a
leaning to biological control.
At Edinburgh Botanical Gardens there are 10 public display glasshouses and over 20 behind the scenes research and
propagation houses, nearly two acres in total. Louise is responsible for the pest control under glass and she uses
nematodes wherever possible, using brand leader Nemaslug as an effective treatment against slugs especially in the Fern
House, and Nemasys for sciarid flies which can be a problem in the propagation areas.
“New 5 degree Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer is much more tolerant of the Scottish climate,” continues Louise, “and I will
keep using nematodes because I know they work. We grow many rare and endangered plants here in Edinburgh and I want to
make sure they stay as healthy as possible. With so many areas in the world lost to mans’ endeavours, we are the
custodians of a priceless plant collection and I feel very privileged to work here.”
[top]
Buy products | News | How nematode products are made | Quality & care | Links | About us | Contact us
News
- Press Information
- Nematodes a Hit at Harrogate
- Nematodes on Show
- New Nemasys Caterpillar and Codling Moth Killer
- Nematodes and potatoes
- Stonehenge siege lifted
- World wide web shows the power of Nematodes
- Control slugs now to avoid high populations
- New, quicker application
- Safety with Nematodes
- Children successfully use Nematodes
- And what’s more it is safe for bees...
- The lifecycle of a Vine Weevil
- Natural versus chemical
- A vintage year?
- Louise's Rhododendrons were saved
- Nemasys news
- News archives
Visitors to the Harrogate Spring Flower Show (24-27 April) flocked to the Nemaslug stand to see nematodes at work
attacking slugs. The bright and bold stand featured a central viewing area where visitors could see the nematodes through
the special magnifiers.
“It really helped people to understand how Nemaslug works in conjunction with nature to protect plants from slugs,” said
Sue Gibb, Becker Underwood’s customer services manager. “We could really show people the difference between plants
protected by Nemaslug and those not.”
A new free pest poster was also in great demand. To download a copy, click here.
[top]
Nematodes on Show
There's a new and very visual attraction on the show circuit this year - see slugs being attacked by nematodes! Becker
Underwood, the world's largest producer of beneficial nematodes and maker of Nemaslug slug killer, is exhibiting at
various shows this year. You can actually see the power of nematodes using the high powered magnifiers to view the tiny
creatures attacking slugs, crawling over them.
Flower Show
2008
Gardening Show
2008
World Live
2008
2008
Home and garden Brassica and apple growers will be pleased to learn that the dreaded Cabbage White Caterpillar and Codling
Moths in fruit trees can be controlled by nematodes. Commercial growers have been successfully using the nematode
Steinernema carpocapse for some years on the two pests and now it is available to everyone.
The nematodes are applied directly to the cabbages and other brassicas as a wash. Three applications are used as soon as
you see the pest to kill caterpillars that will hatch over a period of time. Says allotment holder, Sue Hinton, "I was
amazed with the results when I used it. After the first application most of the caterpillars disappeared but you need to
use a further two applications five days or a week after each other to ensure all hatchings are killed. The solution
needs to be applied to all leaf surfaces and you need to make sure that you spray the pest. Pests not directly sprayed
will not be controlled so do make sure that you hit them."
Cabbage White Caterpillars are also responsible for eating ornamentals, especially nasturtiums.
For Codling Moths the nematodes are used to control the over wintering pupae on trees and ground from September. The
nematodes are applied with a pump sprayer during the evenings or on dull days.
Nemasys Codling Moth and Caterpillar Killer is a natural product, is safe to use on food products and is harmless to
children, pets and wildlife.
[top]
Nematodes and potatoes
Branston Ltd, one of the country's leading potato suppliers, is helping their growers discover just how good Nemaslug is
at controlling slugs. Based in Branston, Lincolnshire, with further production sites in Somerset and Scotland, the company
has an annual turnover of more than £100 million and is Tesco's largest fresh produce supplier, sourcing around 400,000
tonnes of potatoes a year.
Slugs are a serious and potentially very costly problem for potato growers, so Branston is keen to find an effective
solution. Following successful field trials in 2006, Branston encouraged a number of their growers to use Nemaslug during
2007. The initial target was to treat 100 hectares with Nemaslug, but due to the wet and humid season demand increased to
over 450 hectares.
"This year 30 of our growers tried Nemaslug and it was so successful that we are encouraging more of them use the product
in 2008," says Dr Andy Barker, R&D Manager at Branston.
Branston recommends Nemaslug to its growers and supports them to ensure its correct application. Keeled slugs (Milax &
Tandonia spp.) are particularly problematic in potatoes as they are more active underground and therefore harder to
control with conventional pesticide pellets. "Nemaslug works well in the places that pellets can't reach," says Andy.
Water is key to successful growth and also to enable nematodes to reach the slugs underground. When the weather is dry
the nematodes need to be watered in well. In the garden, the judicious use of a hose pipe or sprinkler is sufficient to
wash them in. Branston and Becker Underwood are collaborating to develop application through the standard raingun so that
growers will be less reliant on the weather.
"We're keen to encourage the use of Nemaslug, either as a continuous programme or in conjunction with other modes of
control as part of our Integrated Crop Management strategy (ICM)," continues Andy. "As Branston supplies Tesco and
follows the Nature's Choice guidelines, reducing the number of slug pellets used is very attractive. Using environmentally
friendly controls, such as Nemaslug, can help towards a greener environment and a more sustainable approach to slug
control."
[top]
Stonehenge siege lifted
English Heritage is winning its battle against invading forces at Stonehenge, Wiltshire thanks to native nematodes.
Hosting 800,000 human visitors a year is one thing, but when the famous landmark found chafer grubs plaguing its grass
pathways, the world-renowned visitor attraction needed help! It came in the form of Nemasys Chafer Grub Killer, produced
by Becker Underwood, the world's largest producer of nematodes, which was applied to 5000 sq m of grass to the south-east
of the stones.
Chafer grubs, one of the top ten garden pests according to the RHS, had caused problems for years by eating the grass
roots. This was exacerbated by jackdaws pulling up the grass to seek out the grubs, resulting in unsightly bald patches.
Add to that the constant flow of visitors and English Heritage had to keep moving visitor paths away from the damage that
encircled the famous stones. There was yet another problem too - when the chafer grubs hatched, the resulting swarm of
beetles would fly up at the visitors who found it extremely off putting to say the least.
Due to the large number of visitors including children and with local wildlife and sheep grazing in the neighbouring
fields, there was no way that English Heritage wanted to resort to chemicals so they had to come up with a natural
environmentally friendly solution - Nemasys Chafer Grub Killer. Within a week of the first application, back in September
2006, the secondary damage from wildlife reduced considerably. A review of the result in April 2007 has led English
Heritage to order more Nemasys Chafer Grub Killer - enough to treat an area twice the size of the original application.
Says English Heritage's Chris Bally, Landscape manager for Stonehenge and the south-west, "Nemasys Chafer Grub Killer has
cured the treated areas. We found it extremely effective and chafer grubs have not caused us a problem at all this year
on the treated areas. Now we are targeting other infected areas and hopefully we will not have a chafer grub problem at
all in a couple of years."
[top]
World wide web shows the power of Nematodes
We are often asked “how do nematodes work?” So now, there’s a new free game on the internet at
www.sluginvaders.com that demonstrates, in a light hearted and
fun way, that nematodes seek out and destroy slugs. We will be monitoring the hits on the website so it will be
interesting to see how many people play the game over the coming months. Try it and pass it on. In this edition of
Nemasys News we tell you all about the new developments in Nemasys products plus we feature stories of school children’s
experiences of using nematodes. We also have a new free internet game and website that have been designed to show everyone
how safe and effective the products are.
In addition, there’s a new website www.safegardens4u.co.uk
that shows how safe and easy nematodes are to apply. So for the Nemasys pest control range, comprising brand leader
Nemaslug, Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer, Leatherjacket Killer and Chafer Grub Killer, there’s lots of news in 2007!
“We wanted more people, especially not so keen gardeners, to know about nematodes and how they worked,” says Becker
Underwood’s European general manager, Dr. Graeme Gowling. “www.sluginvaders.com
is a fun game that shows everyone how nematodes kill slugs. The game will appeal to adults and children, gardeners and
non-gardeners alike. It’s based on the old space invaders game, which is seeing a resurgence in popularity. Your highest
score is shown, so you can go back time and again to see if you can beat it. The bright and cheerful new website
www.safegardens4u.co.uk complements the existing
www.nemasysinfo.com website and highlights the safety benefits
of using nematodes to kill slugs, vine weevil, chafer grubs and leatherjackets. It is an animated site where you can
click on different parts of two gardens to see what happens when you apply various products.”
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Control slugs now to avoid high populations
Gardeners are discovering that there are more slugs around this spring. As allotment holders spring dig they are
discovering slugs active beneath the surface and early food crops are getting damaged by slugs. Touch the compost heap,
pick your daffodils, move a slab or a flowerpot and there are plenty of slugs to be found. Normally at this time of the
year, with more severe frosts about, there would be fewer slugs.
The garden centres are enjoying a boom from early gardeners and the slugs are enjoying early meals on customer purchases.
This spring has been wet and humid so far and Becker Underwood are enjoying lots of early sales of Nemaslug. Gardeners
should act now to keep this year’s overall slug population down. The weather this spring promises to see large numbers
of slugs hatching throughout the year. We had a wet and humid spring 2006, which led to a bumper crop of eggs being laid
last autumn, followed by a mild winter and now a humid spring. This all equates to a boom in the slug population.
Slugs are still the number one garden pest in Britain. Each grey field slug can have up to 90,000 grandchildren, each with
around 27,000 teeth, looking to consume it’s own body weight each day. Each cubic metre of soil contains an average of 200
slugs with up to 95% of them below the soil surface where pellets can’t get at them. By applying nematodes now you will
reduce the slug numbers for the rest of the year because you are killing the slugs that have over wintered and hatched
early. More people are taking advantage of planned programmes, which means nematodes arrive on your doorstep just when
you need them.
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New, quicker application
Also new for 2007 - simplified application instructions for all products, making it even quicker and easier to apply.
Gardeners now have the choice of applying by watering can using the new quick 2-step approach or by using a recommended
hose end feeder. Becker Underwood has also re-designed the packaging to meet the latest postal regulations on size and
added striking new images.
Nematode sales continue to increase as more and more gardeners find out how effective they are. With increasing concerns
over safety, especially on food crops and on lawns where children and pets play, people appreciate that Nemaslug and
Nemasys products are safe for children, pets and wildlife.
To apply with a hose end feeder, Becker Underwood recommends either the Phostrogen™ Handy Feeder or the Miracle-Gro™
Feeder. Full instructions on applying with a feeder can be found at
www.nemasysinfo.com.
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Safety with Nematodes
If you use chemical pest controls you have to follow strict safety precautions indicated on the pack, especially in
regard to children, pets and wildlife.
For example chemical controls for chafer grubs and leatherjackets have implications for grazing animals, which should be
excluded from the ground for four weeks after application. This can mean finding other grassed areas for your rabbit or
horse to graze. Nematodes have been especially useful in controlling chafer grubs at a Norfolk stud because, whilst
killing chafer grubs, Nemasys does not affect the horses. So with nematodes you do not have a safety issue.
In fact they are so safe that the pack says to store it in the fridge - to keep the nematodes fresh until they are used
before the expiry date.
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Children successfully use Nematodes
As nematodes are completely safe and easy to mix, they have notched up notable success when applied by school children.
Here we recount some of their recent stories.
Teacher Lesley Hunter from Creavery Primary School in Antrim, Northern Ireland reported to Becker Underwood that in her
school grounds the children were growing perennials and vegetables. She didn’t have a particular problem with slugs but
the snails were in need of constant control as they were climbing everywhere. After using Nemaslug she said it was very
effective and there were no signs of slugs and the snail numbers had greatly reduced. “I am very impressed,” declared
Lesley.
Becker Underwood doesn’t specifically promote Nemaslug as a control for snails, but over the years gardeners have
reported that snails tend to keep away from ground that has been treated with nematodes. The Cardinal Wiseman School in
Coventry was one of the first of four schools to be designated a Rural Dimension School.
As part of their curriculum they teach rural science - half agriculture and half horticulture. Gardening is high on their
agenda and they have an active after school gardening club for the younger pupils as well.
In rural science they have to cover biological pest control and the children used Nemaslug on their hostas, lettuce and
indeed anything that was vulnerable to slugs. They drenched the ground at the end of June beginning of July and through
the summer had very little evidence of slugs. The pupils applied Nemaslug under supervision and used the experience as
learning initiatives in literacy, numeracy and biology.
Steve Thorpe from Haworth Primary School told Becker Underwood that the gardening club had always needed to use pellets
to control the slugs and that they had found that snails were an increasing problem over the past couple of years.
The gardening club grew cabbage, cauliflowers, brussels sprouts, carrots, beetroot, lettuce, peas and beans in their
raised vegetable beds. After using Nemaslug Steve said, “Nemaslug was very impressive in controlling our slug and snail
problems. It was very effective and thank you for telling us about it.”
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And what’s more it is safe for bees...
The honeybee is only now found in beekeepers’ hives as there are no wild honeybees left in this country.
Bees have an extremely important role to play in food production and with native species constantly under threat from
parasites and other predators, gardeners are keen not to harm the bees that visit their plots. So if this is the case
why would gardeners want to use pesticides, and especially imidaclorprid, to make life even harder for the bee?
One of the statements on a chemical product recently introduced for the control chaffer grubs in lawns containing the
active ingredient imidaclorprid says...
- High risk to bees.
- Apply away from bees.
- Do not apply when flowering weeds are present.
Gardening is a popular pastime and massive numbers of container plants are produced yearly. However, many of the
insecticides used by commercial growers have been banned, such as aldrin which disappeared in 1989. Although this is
great news environmentally, vine weevil numbers have risen exponentially as a result and they've become a problem in many
gardens. And, as a native pest, they're always going to be around!
You can tell if you've got vine weevils because the adults eat characteristic circular notches in the edges of leaves,
usually choosing healthy evergreen plants. Although the damage looks awful, it's merely cosmetic - the serious damage is
happening underground where the larvae are active. These feed rapaciously on the roots, eventually causing the death of
the plant. If your plants are wilting as if they're dry, but the soil is moist, then give the leaves a gentle tug. If the
whole plant comes away in your hand, you may find that vine weevil larvae have eaten the roots. Many plants are affected,
especially those with fibrous root systems such as sedums, primulas and fuchsias. However, all containerised plants should
be checked regularly.
The most effective way of controlling the pest is by killing the larval stage - and to be successful at this, you need to
be aware of the life cycle. You can't kill the adults using insecticides and, being largely nocturnal, they're hard to see
unless you go out at night with a flashlight and pick them off by hand, then stamp on them hard - a satisfying sound! The
only stage you can kill easily is the larval stage.
One of the main problems is that all vine weevil adults are female and each produces hundreds of eggs parthenogenetically
ie without a mate. The eggs hatch to produce 'C' shaped, legless, larvae with a distinctive brown head - these feed
throughout late summer and autumn. During winter their feeding activity decreases as they move down into the ground, but
in spring they start feeding again. So the best time to treat the soil or compost is during the autumn, when the soil is
moist and above 5C. If the problem isn't severe, then treating the garden now should be adequate. However, you can also
treat during spring if the problem's severe.
Using a naturally-occurring nematode worm, Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer is the most effective way of controlling the pest
and is safe for children, pest and wildlife. The nematodes seek out the larvae and enter through natural body openings.
Once inside, they release bacteria that prevent the pest from feeding and it dies. The nematodes reproduce inside the
dead pest and release a new generation of hungry infective nematodes, which disperse and search for further prey.
Simply add the powder to a large bucket of water and mix thoroughly, then dilute it according to the instructions. Using
a watering can with a coarse rose or a hose-end feeder such as that produced by Miracle-Gro or Photrogen, water it on to
moist soil around the affected plants. Try to apply it during the evening to prevent it drying out and ensure the soil
remains wet so that the nematodes can move through the soil solution to find the larvae.
Bio® is a registered trademark of Bayer Crop Science. Slug Clear™ is a trademark of The Scotts Company and its
affiliates. Provado® is a registered trademark of Bayer AG. doff™ Slug Killer is a trade mark of Doff.
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Natural versus chemical
The natural versus chemical approach to gardening has exponents on both sides claiming superiority and home gardeners are
bombarded with information through articles and adverts. Safety has become a major issue for many people. Chemical
manufacturers claim that their products are safe “when used as directed” and issue precautions on their packs. Here are
some prime examples:
- Warning: This product contains Metaldehyde which can kill if eaten. KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN AND PETS BOTH IN STORAGE AND IN USE (Bio® Slug Mini-Pellets)
- DANGEROUS TO PETS. KEEP IN ORIGINAL CONTAINER. WASH HANDS AFTER USE (Slug Clear™ Advanced Pellets)
- Scatter the pellets to fall 75-100 mm (3-4”) apart (doff™ Slug Killer)
- Do not use on edible plants (Provado® Vine Weevil Killer2)
- For use on houeplants and container grown ornamental garden plants (Provado® Vine Weevil Killer2). The point to note here is that the product is not recommended for use on open ground.
- Once dry, the treated areas are perfectly OK for children and pets to use (extract from advert for Provado® Lawn Grub Killer - implying that children and pets must be excluded during application and until the area is dry).
However, it is when chemical products are not used or stored as directed that problems occur – and how many people really
follow the precautions and recommendations as strictly as they should? For example, there have been incidences of pets
dying after eating stored slug pellets. Wouldn’t it be simpler and safer to use alternative products that don’t have these
precautions attached to them?
In any event, do you want to put chemicals on such sensitive areas as lawns, where children and pets love to play?
Chemicals in the flowerbeds is one thing, but quite another on the lawn which you use and is a substantial part of your
garden. Especially when there are effective alternatives.
You will have noticed that Nemasys products are not accompanied by such precautions. This is precisely because they are
safe for children, pets and wildlife. Indeed they are so safe that the pack says to store it in the fridge – to keep the
nematodes in fine fettle until they are used in the garden before the expiry date.
For your lawn, Nemasys Leather Jacket Killer and Nemasys Chafer Grub Killer are established solutions that are readily
available, along with Nemaslug and Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer to protect valuable plants.
Bio® is a registered trademark of Bayer Crop Science. Slug Clear™ is a trademark of The Scotts Company and its
affiliates. Provado® is a registered trademark of Bayer AG. doff™ Slug Killer is a trade mark of Doff.
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A vintage year?
2005 was a good year for crane flies! Whilst these insects should be left alone in the wild, lawn proud gardeners do not
necessarily want them in their ‘own back yard’. If your lawn is home to the leatherjacket grubs, (the grub stage of the
Daddy-Longlegs) then you are probably inviting unwanted wildlife guests in for dinner. For wildlife will visit your lawn,
dig it up and leave a mess in their search for food.
To combat leatherjackets use Nemasys Leather Jacket Killer, the nematode control. Nematodes are microscopic worms that
occur naturally in the soil but in insufficient numbers. Water Nemasys into your lawn during late August through to the
end of October when the leatherjackets are active. You will know when to apply because towards the end of August you will
see the adult crane flies and then a few days later they will lay their eggs. As the eggs hatch quickly, aim to apply two
weeks after you see the adults.
Chafer grubs do similar damage inviting similar predators. Chafer beetles emerge from the lawn in May/June and lay their
eggs in the ground in two weeks. The eggs hatch into grubs feeding on the grass roots in August and September before
burrowing deep into the ground. If you have an infestation, log it on the national site
www.chafersurvey.co.uk, where you will also find
details of how to combat this pest.
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Louise's Rhododendrons were saved
At the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), Supervisor Louise Galloway is in the process of planning her next overseas
plant collecting expedition to collect rare Vireya Rhododendrons from South-East Asia. She recalls a time five years ago;
when she watched helplessly whilst her beloved recently rooted cuttings succumbed to Vine Weevil.
Looking at the sick plants a colleague, who knew of Becker Underwood’s work, told her about Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer
and Louise has not looked back since. “I spent so much time propagating the cuttings,” said Louise, “that I was really
upset when I lost the lot to vine weevil. We no longer have a problem because we now use Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer twice
a year, in the spring and autumn.”
“I find the instructions on the packaging extremely easy to understand, the Becker Underwood pie chart is excellent as it
explains the lifecycle of the Vine Weevil and therefore tells you exactly when to target the pest, the website is very
user friendly too!”
Particularly loving the Vireyas, Louise knows how devastating it can be to lose them to pests. Vine Weevil have a
particular liking for Rhododendrons. The plants that Louise looks after are slow growing and have very fine surface roots
susceptible to damage therefore it is very important to protect them. Louise is responsible for the world’s largest
collection of Vireya Rhododendrons. Starting with only and handful of plants in the 1950’s, through expeditions and
collaboration with the scientific and horticultural staff in Edinburgh and overseas, the RBGE now hold approximately 165
out of the known 300 species of Vireyas, in total 2,672 plants to protect!
Louise started her career in horticulture when she was a Saturday girl in the RBGE’s visitors’ shop. Her love of the
plants that she was surrounded with encouraged her into full time horticulture; with on the job experience and day
release she gained SVQs in Amenity Horticulture, later achieving an HND in Horticulture with Plantmanship on the full
time course at the Garden. Louise has a particular interest in Integrated Pest Management and now she is a qualified
BASIS pesticide advisor she is able to advise staff throughout the garden on pest control with more and more of a
leaning to biological control.
At Edinburgh Botanical Gardens there are 10 public display glasshouses and over 20 behind the scenes research and
propagation houses, nearly two acres in total. Louise is responsible for the pest control under glass and she uses
nematodes wherever possible, using brand leader Nemaslug as an effective treatment against slugs especially in the Fern
House, and Nemasys for sciarid flies which can be a problem in the propagation areas.
“New 5 degree Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer is much more tolerant of the Scottish climate,” continues Louise, “and I will
keep using nematodes because I know they work. We grow many rare and endangered plants here in Edinburgh and I want to
make sure they stay as healthy as possible. With so many areas in the world lost to mans’ endeavours, we are the
custodians of a priceless plant collection and I feel very privileged to work here.”
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Press Information
Enquiries from the media should be addressed to Sue Hinton or David Saunderson of DSH PR on 01252 408820, or email
pr@dshpr.co.uk. Images are also available for use in publications on application to
DSH PR.
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