Lay The Perfect Ground For Pest Control

Although England is famed for its unpredictable and often dreary weather, recent years have given us warm spells later on in the year enabling the planting of new plants, re-arranging the ones we have, or renewing the beds and borders in our gardens without fear that the cooler weather will set in and ruin all of our hard work.

The reason for our good fortune is that September and October have some of the best weather for gardening. As the weather moderates and the rainfall is adequate, the earth is warm so most plants put on vigorous root growth in preparation for the coming winter – perfect conditions for the gardener.

Gardening practices have changed so we don't need to face daunting tasks such as renovating our borders, just as we've found double-digging is no longer really necessary. By putting down compost as top dressing and using organic mulches to protect the soil, the ground is continually enriched as these elements slowly break down into the soil releasing their nutrients.

This summer, like the previous one, we've had a surfeit of water instead of the usual heat and drought. This leaves the ground nice and moist for putting down nematodes to control the stubborn pests. This is the time to apply them to the garden.

Beneficial nematodes are microscopic soil dwelling creatures that cause disease to insects by infecting and killing the host. They do not harm plants, people, earthworms or animals.

There are literally thousands of species in the soil but only a very few are useful to us as a pest control. They work by entering the grub through its natural openings. Then bacteria are released inside the host that kills it. The nematodes mate inside the dead grub, producing young nematodes that leave the dead one and go looking for another live one.

The beneficial nematodes we buy at the garden centre are living creatures. Care must be taken to ensure they have the right environment for their survival.

They have six life stages, but it is only during one of these that they can live without a host for a short while. This is why, when you go to purchase at the garden centre, they are kept stored in a cooler – not on the store shelf – to keep them alive and dormant. It's imperative to put them in your refrigerator as soon as you get home to keep them that way until you are ready to use them.

For best results, here are some simple guidelines to follow.

First – the weather this year is making this one easy – make sure the ground in the area for treatment is moist. The best time for an application is just before a rain. You can even go out during a rain shower to distribute them, but that's entirely up to you!

Next, because nematodes are very sensitive to ultraviolet light, it is better to do this in the evening. Coupled with this, is to thoroughly wash them into the soil after application. It seems to work best if they are applied to bare soil, rather than over the grass, unless there's a downfall immediately afterwards.

Last autumn, when we did a second application, I put the hose end sprayer right under the foliage at ground level in the borders, and also in the little ditches formed when cutting the edging between the lawn and the flower beds.

Finally, if you don't start with this one save your money: Read the label (first) and follow the instructions listed on the package.

For some, this is exceedingly radical behaviour but be brave and do it. I promise the horticultural police won't come and shut you up in a small room with hundreds of beetles if you do take this giant step.

Article provided by Lavender Pest Control