is it too late in the season to use the nematodes in the greenhouse? I know with the parasitic wasps you have to let them build up early or they aren't effective but I have never used nematodes, I do usually tend to let nature take it's course so it looks like I'm back to rubber gloves torch and bucket at midnight, still it gets you out of the house doesn't it.
Nemetodes are the most natural and effective slug control there is. They are parasites that 'burrow' into the slugs and destroy them. Slugs live mostly underground and come to the surface when it is damp. The nemetodes will last for over 12 months, although I have found that it can be 2 years as the slugs have to catch up I.e. Lay eggs and hatching, so if you water nemetodes in every year it can be very effective. I have just bought my supply for this year from the Gardening Show at the N.E.C. ( couldn't use them last 2 years due to house flooding! ) .
Lyn, I spoke to the sales man on the stand at the Garden Show and he said they will be effective for a year but as the slugs have to repopulate the effects could be up to 2 years, this is what I have found. I have a big garden and have to decide whether to treat vegetables or flowers, the veg and strawberries usually win!
You're lucky rosemummy. I haven't seen one yet. The sound of snail bashing was constant here a few years ago. It may not all be down to chemicals but the neighbouring farmer sprays something, somewhere most days
Hi nutcutlet we have the same lack of birds this year. Up til last year we had swallows nesting in sheds, loads of martins, thrushes blackbirds and sparrows, in fact we were wondering if there really was a shortage of birds, they all seemed to meet in our garden.We live in the middle of the marshes about two miles from the wash and are surrounded by fields which, this year, the farmers are spraying almost daily. We have a pair of great tits who have raised one brood and are sitting again and a couple of wrens but thats all. The garden is so quiet, this is why we have a slug problem. It's so sad.
It is sad susie. I'm sure there are other factors that affect bird numbers but the use of chemicals is one that we could sort out if the will was there.
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nemaslug is nematodes. They're not a chemical, they're alive
In the sticks near Peterborough
is it too late in the season to use the nematodes in the greenhouse? I know with the parasitic wasps you have to let them build up early or they aren't effective but I have never used nematodes, I do usually tend to let nature take it's course so it looks like I'm back to rubber gloves torch and bucket at midnight, still it gets you out of the house doesn't it.
I don't know howto use them susie. I do much as you do
In the sticks near Peterborough
Nemetodes are the most natural and effective slug control there is. They are parasites that 'burrow' into the slugs and destroy them. Slugs live mostly underground and come to the surface when it is damp. The nemetodes will last for over 12 months, although I have found that it can be 2 years as the slugs have to catch up I.e. Lay eggs and hatching, so if you water nemetodes in every year it can be very effective. I have just bought my supply for this year from the Gardening Show at the N.E.C. ( couldn't use them last 2 years due to house flooding! ) .
They do say that they only last for 6 weeks then you need to apply more, and this was true in my garden.
They work really well but as my garden is big, i just couldnt afford them this year.
You can apply them now, but as we are in for a dry spell, you will need to dampen the ground and keep them watered until they establish.
Lyn, I spoke to the sales man on the stand at the Garden Show and he said they will be effective for a year but as the slugs have to repopulate the effects could be up to 2 years, this is what I have found. I have a big garden and have to decide whether to treat vegetables or flowers, the veg and strawberries usually win!
i can't believe the chemical stuff is even still made, i,ve only seen one thrush this year
You're lucky rosemummy. I haven't seen one yet. The sound of snail bashing was constant here a few years ago. It may not all be down to chemicals but the neighbouring farmer sprays something, somewhere most days
In the sticks near Peterborough
Hi nutcutlet we have the same lack of birds this year. Up til last year we had swallows nesting in sheds, loads of martins, thrushes blackbirds and sparrows, in fact we were wondering if there really was a shortage of birds, they all seemed to meet in our garden.We live in the middle of the marshes about two miles from the wash and are surrounded by fields which, this year, the farmers are spraying almost daily. We have a pair of great tits who have raised one brood and are sitting again and a couple of wrens but thats all. The garden is so quiet, this is why we have a slug problem. It's so sad.
It is sad susie. I'm sure there are other factors that affect bird numbers but the use of chemicals is one that we could sort out if the will was there.
In the sticks near Peterborough