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Nematode Quick Guide
Nematodes are too small to hug, but they deserve it. Use the following guide to find which kind you need. Please read the application instructions carefully to get the most out of these amazing microscopic worms. If you have a variety of pests, give them the old one-two punch with the Hb/Sc and Hb/Sf combinations.

If you have... use this nematode... because... and apply as follows...
  • White grubs in the lawn
  • Japanese beetle
  • May/June beetle 
  • European chafer
  • Masked chafer
  • Cranberry girdler
  • Cranberry rootworm
  • Blackvine weevil
  • Gall midge 
  • Strawberry rootweevil
Hb nematodes (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora) they patrol the soil to a depth of 7", looking for deep soil dwellers, such as white grubs

Ideally wait until the soil warms up to around 68º F, although Hb nematodes will still work but more slowly at cooler temperatures.

Apply nematodes when the pest you're trying to conrol is an active larva (when the larva becomes a bug, it's too late and you'll have to wait until the next generation hatches). Example, in the Northeast, Japanese beetle grubs feed actively during two periods: late April-early June and late Aug-early Oct. If you're not sure when to apply, check with the nematode experts at the University of Ohio.

  • Annual bluegrass weevil
  • Bluegrass billbug
  • Hunting billbug
  • Black cutworm
  • Dog/cat flea larvae
  • European crane fly
  • Armyworms
  • Sod webworms
  • Tawny mole cricket
  • Southern mole cricket
  • Cranberry girdler
Sc nematodes (Steinernema carpocapsae) they stay on the surface waiting to ambush soil surface dwellers such as flea larvae

Ideally wait until the soil warms up to around 70-80º F, although Sc nematodes will still work but more slowly at cooler temperatures.

Apply nematodes when the pest you're trying to control is an active larva (when the larva becomes a bug, it's too late and you'll have to wait until the next generation hatches). Example, in the Northeast, Japanese beetle grubs feed actively during two periods: late April-early June and late Aug-early Oct. If you're not sure when to apply, check with the nematode experts at the University of Ohio.

  • Mushroom flies
  • Fungus gnats
  • Crane flies
Sf nematodes (Steinernema feltiae)
they patrol the top 3" of the soil and especially like fly larvae
 

Sf can tolerate much cooler temperatures. You can apply Sf when the soil is as cool as 50º F.

Apply nematodes when the pest is an active larva (when the larva becomes a bug, it's too late and you'll have to wait until the next generation hatches). Example, in the Northeast, Japanese beetle grubs feed actively during two periods: late April-early June and late Aug-early Oct. If you're not sure when to apply, check with the nematode experts at the University of Ohio.