Nematodes are microscopically small (0.6 to 1 mm), unsegmented worms that occur naturally in the soil throughout the world.

Yes, there are entomopathogenic nematodes (insect parasitic), plant pathogenic nematodes, and saprophytic nematodes. The entomopathogenic nematodes are natural enemies of a lot of insects.

No. Plant pathogenic nematodes cause harm to plants. However, entomopathogenic nematodes are 100% safe for plants, animals and humans. This is because only insects can be host to this group of nematodes. By far the most nematodes belong to the group of saprophytes. These nematodes are harmless and live of dead organic matter to provide a rich soil life.

Nematodes are actively looking for a host or using an ambush strategy to reach their host. Once in contact with a host, they try to penetrate it through a body opening. In the host, the nematodes release a bacterium that can kill the host very quickly. This bacterium also causes the host to be converted into food for the nematodes. This food enables the nematodes to complete their life cycle.

Yes. The most common entomopathogenic nematodes belong to the genus Heterorhabditis or Steinernema. In addition, there are a number of other genera and species, but they are found in much smaller quantities.

No. This group of bacteria is only harmful to insects and cannot survive outside an insect or in warm-blooded organisms.

No. Nematodes cannot survive at very low temperatures and certainly not outside a host. Only if the nematode is in the host and the temperature is not too low is there a small chance that the nematodes can overwinter. However, this is never to the extent that enough nematodes are available in spring to be able to have a sufficiently controlling effect.

It depends. Some pests are susceptible to nematode infection in both larval and adult stages, some only during the larval stages (and some only as adults). As a general rule, nematodes are most effective against young larvae, especially in the case of large insects.

In nature they live in soil and are therefore effective against soil pests, but for several above ground pests foliar applications show good efficacy, provided the fields/greenhouses offer the optimal temperature and humidity conditions required. For instance, nematodes can be used against palm tree pests, caterpillars, thrips, Nesidiocoris, asparagus beetle, Tuta absoluta and several fruit moths and beetles.

Please contact your advisor for the pest/target lists. This list is not exhaustive as we are routinely running bioassays to discover new targets.

Nematodes should be applied with water. Once resuspended in water, the nematode suspension can be dispersed using spraying/irrigation systems most commonly used in agriculture and gardens: airblast sprayer, boom sprayer, drones, backpack sprayer, a watering can or others. They can also be dispersed via drip irrigation systems with a preference for high pressure ones and be injected through a Dosatron/Venturi injector. Remove filters if finer than 0.3 mm. If there is any doubt, remove all filters.

The pressure on the nozzle may not exceed 20 bar (190 psi), with conventional large volume nozzles.

Nematodes are sensitive to drought. When they are introduced into a dry substrate/soil they will die. Also when the soil dries out very quickly after application. In addition, they use moisture in combination with soil particles to move. Dispersion is not possible without a water film.

As long as the soil is not dry, the nematodes will survive and search for a host. It is therefore important to leave the soil moist for a few weeks after application of nematodes.

No. In particular in clean rock wool slabs they cannot maintain well and they will flush with the drain. (Pot) soil, on the other hand and if not too dry, is always good.

Heavy clay soil is also not optimum for nematodes. In this case, repeated applications are needed.

Nematodes can also be used against several foliar pests (f.e. caterpillars, thrips). Their efficacy will be strictly connected to survival time on the leaves. To ensure the best results, we therefore recommend to use the nematodes when:

• Relative humidity is high (>75%); early mornings or evenings
• Solar radiation is low; early mornings or evenings
• Temperature is ideally within 15°C – 25°C (59 - 77°F)
• An adjuvant is recommended (ask your local consultants for compatible adjuvants)

Preferably around 15 – 20 °C (59 - 68 °F) but certainly not above 25 °C (77 °F). Above 30 °C (86 °F), nematodes will die quickly.

Be careful with recirculation pumps that may quickly warm up the spray tank water above 30°C, especially in hot seasons.

Once nematodes are resuspended in water, the total volume of the suspension must be sprayed immediately. Therefore a suspension cannot be saved.

If the suspension is not mixed, the nematodes will sink to the bottom and die of oxygen deficiency. Therefore, a suspension must always be kept in motion or aerated.

pH values ​​between 4-8 and EC values ​​up to 5 are safe for nematodes.

Nematodes are quite insensitive to many types of pesticides and can thus be sprayed easily after a pesticide treatment or even sometimes tank-mixed. For a complete list of side effects, check the Koppert Side Effect List on : https://sideeffects.koppert.com/side-effects or download the app. Tank mix with foliar fertilisers must be avoided.

Under optimum conditions, a nematode can kill an insect in 24-48 hours. Under field conditions, a nematode will first have to look for a host. The effect of treatment is thus strongly dependent on how quickly a nematode has found a host.

Infected larvae will change color because of the growth of the bacteria and nematodes. In case of Heterorhabditis pink-reddish and Steinernema yellow-brownish. Under practical conditions, infected insect larvae will quickly become slimy and thus will no longer be found. In practice, the decrease of pest pressure is the only indication that the application has been effective.

Under the optimum conditions, nematodes can, depending on their energy reserves, stay alive in the soil for a few weeks and look for a host.

In order for the nematodes to survive during transport and storage they need to be packed in a carrier material. This biodegradable carrier material allows a good solubility and a long shelf life for a living product.

No the carrier material is not harmful to humans.

No the carrier material is biodegradable and not harmful to the environment, fish, micro-organisms and soil organisms. In addition the carrier material disintegrates quickly in the environment, releasing its natural compounds.