Bhanoo, S.N. (1 June 2011). "Nematode found in mine is first subsurface multicellular organism". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331 . Retrieved 13 June 2011. The presence of biological controls should not interfere with normal gardening activities such as ventilating glasshouses and watering, although it is necessary to avoid the use ofpesticides

Copper tape/rings - copper gives a natural electric charge that repels both slugs and snails. Tape is useful around pots and legs of greenhouse staging. Larvae (maggots) of a hoverfly Sphaerophoria ruppelli .About half of the hoverfly species found in Britain are predatory on aphids as larvae. The predatory green maggots of S. ruppelli are sometimes sold comercially and can be released on aphid affected plants.

When to apply Nemaslug outdoors:

Nemaslug Nematodes are easy to apply using a watering can and do not leave any unsightly residues. Each application of nematodes will provide at least six weeks control of slugs. This is generally enough time for seedlings and bedding plants to get well established. The majority of the slugs will die underground, so don't expect to see dead slugs lying around. Slug nematodes are microscopic, transparent worms, which feed and multiply inside the slug, once the nematodes are inside the slug it stops feeding after a few days and then dies within a week. The nematodes are already in the soil in the UK but just not enough for the number slugs, so effectively when applying slug nematodes we are just topping up the quantities.

Nematodes are tiny, microscopic roundworms that live in our soil and water. There are huge numbers of different species of nematodes, but the ones we are interested in today are slug nematodes.

Slug monitoring periods and damage thresholds

There are many preventive measures that have been used by gardeners to minimise slug damage. Most of these do not have any scientific evidence to prove that they are effective. These measures include: To calculate your area measure the width and length of the area to be treated and multiply them by each other e.g. 4m x 10m = 40 sq.m or 5m x 8m = 40 sq.m A biological control ('Nemaslug') specific to molluscs, with no adverse effect on other types of animal, is available in the form of a microscopic nematode or eelworm that is watered into the soil. The nematodes ( Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita) enter slugs' bodies and infect them with bacteria that cause a fatal disease. The control may be a little slower. However, the nematodes are capable of surviving even the odd frost. Ruppert EE, Fox RS, Barnes RD (2004). Invertebrate Zoology: A Functional Evolutionary Approach (7thed.). Belmont, California: Brooks/Cole. ISBN 978-0-03-025982-1.

There are many different types of nematodes, some beneficial and some less so! The nematodes used for insect pest control are called entomopathogenic nematodes. This group of nematodes are harmless to pets, humans and wildlife and provide effective biological control to an increasing range of plant damaging insect pests. How To Apply NematodesQuestion: What are slug nematodes? Nematodes are microscopic worms which seek out slugs and stop them destroying your plants. Columbia Survivors". Astrobiology Magazine. 1 January 2006. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 . Retrieved 12 January 2016. {{ cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL ( link) Recent RHS research has found that barriers, grit or other sharp materials, are not reliable although you will find many gardeners who swear by them. Question:Why use slug nematodes? Nematodes are effective and are safe to use and harmless to children, pets and wildlife. They are perfectly natural and already present in your soil. By applying more of the nematodes, you are just increasing the numbers and, therefore, the number of slugs that they kill. Benefits of Using Slug Nematodes

See also: List of nematode families Eophasma jurasicum, a fossilized nematode Caenorhabditis elegans Rhabditia Nippostrongylus brasiliensis Unidentified Anisakidae ( Ascaridina: Ascaridoidea) Oxyuridae Threadworm Spiruridae Dirofilaria immitis History [ edit ] Ehlers, R.-U.; Hokkanen, H. M. T. (September 1996). "Insect Biocontrol with Non-endemic Entomopathogenic Nematodes (Steinernema and Heterorhabditis spp.): Conclusions and Recommendations of a Combined OECD and COST Workshop on Scientific and Regulatory Policy Issues". Biocontrol Science and Technology. 6 (3): 295–302. doi: 10.1080/09583159631280.

A hose end dilutor specially designed to apply nematodes. A constant dilution rate of 50/1 ensures accurate and easy application. This selectiveness allows for effective slug control without damaging other crucial species within the environment. Reduced Chemical Usage