Gardening Naturally flea and flea beetle nematodes are a natural organic pest control designed to reduce lawn flea damage in your garden. The nematodes are microscopic transparent worms that live in the soil and feed and multiply inside the flea eggs and larvae they come into contact with. This nematode mix includes both Steinernema Feltiae and Steinernema Carpocapsae. Unlike synthetic pest control options, these highly specific natural predators will hunt day and night to protect your lawn, plants and pets from unwanted intruders while leaving other beneficial insects alone.

How does it work?

Nematodes naturally occur within soil in the UK but in low numbers. By adding more of these flea-specific nematodes, you can quickly reduce flea and flea beetle populations. When they come into contact with a flea, flea egg or flea larvae, they enter through natural openings and feed and multiply. Within days, the flea will stop eating, and within a week, it will die. The nematodes will multiply and spread out in the soil, seeking more fleas to continue to propagate. Most of this occurs below the surface.

How do I use them?

Gardening Naturally nematodes are supplied as a dry powder which can be mixed with water in a watering can and then applied to the area you want to protect. We advise applying them to the soil when the fleas and flea beetles are most active between April and August. If using them in the summer, try to apply them on an overcast day or in the evening and keep watering the soil to make sure it remains moist for the next 2 weeks.

Is it safe?

Nematodes are completely natural and prevalent in most gardens throughout the UK. Gardening Naturally predatory nematodes are simply a more precise and effective version, which will only target the local flea population. They are designed for use where pets and other wildlife are present,

When is the best time to use Nematodes?

The best time to use these nematodes would be when the soil temperature is reliably above 5°C, and fleas or flea beetles are present, usually by the end March through to August. If applying them in summer, try to apply them on an overcast day or in the evening and keep the soil moist for 2 weeks following the application to make sure they remain healthy.

Application Advice:

1. Dissolve the contents of your first packet in 1L of water to form a starting solution.
2. Stir vigorously and then mix the solution with a further 3L of water before adding to a watering can fitted with a coarse rose.
3. Apply this to a 25m² area
4. 5-7 days later, repeat steps 1-3 with the second packet. The nematodes can be stored for a week or two in the fridge until they are needed.

In total, you should go through 2 watering cans (8L of water) and cover a 25m² area twice.