Gardening Naturally slug nematodes are a natural organic pest control designed to reduce slug damage in planted beds, borders and vegetable plots. The nematodes are microscopic transparent worms that live in the soil and feed and multiply inside the slugs they come into contact with. These nematodes are also known as Phasmarhabditis californica. Unlike synthetic pest control options, these highly specific natural predators will hunt day and night to protect your vegetables 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 slug-specific nematodes, you can quickly reduce slug populations. When they come into contact with a slug, they enter through natural openings and feed and multiply. Within days, the slug will stop eating, and within a week, it will die. The nematodes will multiply and spread out in the soil, seeking more slugs 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 after the last frost but early in the growing season to prevent slugs from pressuring young plants. Once applied, try to make sure that the soil doesn't completely dry out to ensure that the nematode population remains healthy and strong.

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 slug 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, usually by the end of February or March. They can be used all through the warm part of the year up until around October. Of course, if you wanted to use them in a covered environment where the temperature will not drop below 5°C, you could use them year-round.

Application Advice:

1. Dissolve the entire contents of the pack in a bucket containing 4L of water to create a solution.
2. Stir vigorously and then take 500ml of the solution and add it to a 5L watering can fitted with a coarse rose and fill with water.
3. Apply this to a 5m² area
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the whole area has been treated

In total, you should go through 8 watering cans (40L of water) and cover a 40m² area. For the larger 100m² pack, simply start with 10L of water for the initial solution and apply with 20 watering cans to a 100m² area.