Beneficial nematodes are naturally occurring organisms and are not harmful to humans, pets, wildlife, birds, soil, earthworms, water sources or the atmosphere. Nematodes migrate through the soil finding insect larvae by detecting either a slight increase in temperature or release of methane gas.  The infective juvenile nematodes enter the larvae and release a symbiotic bacteria that within days, kills the host. The nematodes feed on the bacteria and the decomposed host tissue where they reproduce until numbers drive them out to find a new host. These Nematodes are effective against over 250 species of pest insects including FLEA LARVAE. In field crops they infect and kill caterpillars, cutworms, grubs, root worms, wire worms, sod web worms and other pests. For greenhouses they are particularly effective against fungus gnats, and aid in the control of pupating thrips in the soil. Orchard pest control is enhanced against codling moth and Lepidopteran pests, including those that bore into tree bark or are in the soil during various stages of their life cycle. For turf and lawns, these nematode packs are particularly effective against cranefly larva, June bug larva and other turf damaging grubs.

APPLICATION
Nematodes arrive on a damp sponge within a plastic bag. These strains are not highly perishable, but storage decreases their viability. If not used immediately, you can refrigerate up to one week. Do Not Freeze. The sponge is warmed to room temperature then soaked in at least one gallon of room temperature [non-chlorinated/not distilled] water for an additional half-hour. Rinse remaining nematodes from sponge. Apply using either a watering can or a sprayer. If a filter is on a sprayer, remove it before application.  Do not apply in full sunlight. Nematodes are best applied during periods of cool, cloudy weather or in the evening of early spring or late summer when the danger of frost has passed.

For boring insects, some growers spray in the evenings and report successful results against some insects on their tree and shrubs, plant foliage or bark by using Sunspray Ultra-Fine oil to protect the nematodes from desiccation. “Field Guardian" can be stored in a refrigerator at 40^o-50^oF for 2 weeks. You should mix the package into one gallon of water to create a concentrate. "Field Guardian" can withstand pressures up to 300 PSI. You can apply them using your injector system, or dilute them with more water and use a tank sprayer, boom sprayer, wheel-line, in-line, fixed line or other sprinkler system. They will survive in oxygen rich water; such as agitating water, but may "drown" if you leave them in standing water for more than 24 hours. "Watering in" will help "Field Guardian Nematodes" migrate to the protected area within root zone.

Use these in combination with Milky Spore, and you'll rid yourself of grubs very quickly. The Nematodes go to work as soon as they hit the soil. Add the Milky Spore and you're covered for up to ten years!

*Shipped Second Day air. Some one will have to be there to sign for them to guarantee their viability so choose an address where some one will be there to do that. Please read this entire page and read your instructions ahead of time by clicking here.

• Steinernematids and heterorhabditids have similar life histories. The non-feeding developmentally arrested infective juvenile seeks out insect hosts and initiates infections. When a host has been located, the nematodes penetrate into the insect body cavity, usually via natural body openings (mouth, anus, spiracles) or areas of thin cuticle. Once in the body cavity, a symbiotic bacterium (Xenorhabdus for steinernematids, Photorhabdus for heterorhabditids) is released from the nematode gut, which multiplies rapidly and causes rapid insect death. The nematodes feed upon the bacteria and liquefying host, and mature into adults. Steinernematid infective juveniles may become males or females, where as heterorhabditids develop into self-fertilizing hermaphrodites although subsequent generations within a host produce males and females as well. The life cycle is completed in a few days, and hundreds of thousands of new infective juveniles emerge in search of fresh hosts.

• Thus, entomopathogenic nematodes are a nematode-bacterium complex. The nematode may appear as little more than a biological syringe for its bacterial partner, yet the relationship between these organisms of one of classic mutualism. Nematode growth and reproduction depend upon conditions established in the host cadaver by the bacterium. The bacterium further contributes anti-immune proteins to assist the nematode in overcoming host defenses, and anti-microbials that suppress colonization of the cadaver by competing secondary invaders. Conversely, the bacterium lacks invasive powers and is dependent upon the nematode to locate and penetrate suitable hosts. 

Special Instructions for Your Order.

• Don't toss them in the closet and forget about them
• Don't put them in the basement thinking they'll be cool enough down there
• Don't leave them on the porch overnight or the kitchen table or any other non refrigerated space
• Do not expose them to direct sunlight or intense heat
• Do open the box and read the instructions right away
• You must call within 24 hours if you suspect they are dead.
• Signs of dead nematodes are
• Foul odor when opening the plastic bag
• Dried out sponge
• • · Nematodes may be applied with any type of sprayer and can withstand up to 300 pounds of pressure per square inch.  If using a hose end sprayer it may be helpful to add some natural food coloring to the solution so you can see it in the sprayer’s receptacle.  Remember to keep solution agitated as the nematodes have a tendency to settle to the bottom. Remove the filter from your pump sprayer or tank sprayer before application.
     
    · If you don't know the application rate for the particular sprayer then calibrate it before making the application by performing the following:
    Set the sprayer at mid-point. Fill the receptacle with water and add some food coloring. Turn the sprayer on and walk in rows at a steady pace. When receptacle is empty measure the area covered at that setting. This is your rate of application
     
    For example:  With the sprayer set at mid-point and a quart size receptacle you walked an area of 1,000 square feet you would mix a one-mil package of Nematodes into two quarts of water and fill your receptacle twice to cover 2,000 square feet. 

· Water the Nematodes into a thoroughly moist soil in the evenings as the nematodes are very sensitive to sunlight. Water well afterwards too.