Ladybugs & Nematodes, All You Need To Know
It seems like there’s always a few pests around trying to wreak havoc on our gardens, either eating our plants, chopping off the main stems at the soil level, or destroying the roots. It can be so disheartening to find a promising pepper plant on the ground, or the leaves of broccoli chewed to pieces.
Many pests have natural enemies, such as ladybugs and nematodes, that work together to combat garden nuisances. While ladybugs target above-ground pests with their adorable yet effective pest-eating abilities, nematodes focus on creatures hidden beneath the soil, creating a powerful duo to protect your garden.
Ladybugs, Ladybirds, & Lady Beetles
Ladybugs, also known as ladybirds and lady beetles prey on soft-bodied insects—their favourite snacks are aphids, and they can eat up to 5000 in their lifetime! In addition to aphids, ladybugs will also happily add mealybugs, mites, cabbage moths, and whiteflies to the menu whenever they’re available.
Nematodes
Nematodes actually occur naturally in soil, but there may not be very many of the beneficial varieties hanging around in soil that has been depleted of nutrients or organic matter. Nematodes are a type of parasite called roundworms, though they’re not really worms at all. While some kinds of roundworms are pretty awful, beneficial nematodes are completely safe for humans, pets, and even our beloved earthworms.
Beneficial nematodes are microscopic, but they work hard. These tiny critters will tackle many soil borne pests in the larval or pupal stage. They’ll deal with cutworms, rootworms, asparagus beetles, crane flies, fleas, and flea beetles. They can even take on Japanese Beetles!
How To Use Ladybugs & Nematodes
Dormant ladybugs are packaged in a paper bag and can be kept in the fridge for up to 3-4 weeks, so make sure to check the expiry date on the bag. If you have an aphid infestation, it’s best to release ⅓ to ½ of the bag at once and refrigerate the rest. By releasing a few more incrementally over a few weeks you should get ahead of your aphid problems.
The best time to release ladybugs is at dusk when the bugs are least active and the environment is cooler. It’s a good idea to mist the area where you are releasing ladybugs so they can have a drink as they wake up.
Nematodes require moisture to survive, so while you can keep them in the fridge, it’s best to apply within a day or two of purchasing them. If you can, apply nematodes after a day of rain, when the weather isn’t too hot. If it’s not likely to rain within the next few days, make sure to water the area well with a sprinkler before applying the nematodes.
Mix the contents of your nematode pack in a bucket of water, stirring it gently. Let them sit for a few minutes to soak up more water. You’ll get the most even application with a sprayer system on a garden hose, but you can also apply them using a watering can with a sprinkle spout.
Nematodes need the soil to be moist so they can work their way down to the roots, so for the most effective results, you’ll want to keep the soil where you applied them moist for up to two weeks after application. It’s also important not to use fertilizer for the week prior and two weeks after nematode application.
When you’re tackling garden pests, the sooner you get started, the better! Head over to our garden center to pick up your garden army of beneficial bugs.
Did You Know?
Ladybugs beat their wings 85 times per second?
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