What's So Beneficial About Nematodes?
You may have heard the term "beneficial nematodes" in your exploits with lawn care and Burlington inground irrigation systems, but what is this product? Beneficial nematodes are actually extremely useful for your lawn when you use them properly. In fact, your lawn may need nematodes without you even realizing it. With the new eco-friendly and green-conscious habits, nematodes are a technology that isn't really a technology at all. Read on to find out.
What are Beneficial Nematodes?
Beneficial nematodes are actually small worms that are natural predators to certain insects that you don't want infesting your lawn. They are applied to your grass after being mixed with water from your Burlington inground irrigation systems. These creatures journey through your lawn to find the bugs that are invading your soil, and take up the pest as the "host." Once they have found the host, or once the host has found them, they deposit toxic bacteria to kill the host.
Nematodes are applied to feed on the larvae of the insects, in August or the beginning of September. This is when the infestation is most vulnerable, and therefore easiest to attack.
What Kind of Bugs Do Nematodes Kill?
Nematodes are actually the predators of over 200 species of insects. Nematodes are most often used to get rid of grubs and Japanese Beetles, which are the most common in North America. They may also attack sod webworms and leather jackets.
What are the Benefits of Beneficial Nematodes?
With the new kick to go green, homeowners have been struggling to find ways to get rid of their pest insects and weeds naturally, and organically. Nematodes fit both of these requirements perfectly, as they are a predatory product for insects that derives straight from nature itself. This means also that nematodes are entirely safe and healthy for your lawn, as well as for your pets and children who may want to enjoy their summer months playing in the grass.
The only thing you need to make sure your nematodes get the job done are good Burlington inground irrigation systems. The best conditions for nematodes to thrive are in a wet soil, with a humid environment, making your job quite simple.
What to Avoid
Nematodes shouldn't be kept in hot temperatures or in an area where they may be exposed to UV. Nematodes prefer rainy days, and lower temperatures to thrive well. Before you mix the nematode with water, these little creatures may be stored in your refrigerator for no longer than a month before use. And as stated, they need wet soil so that they may have optimum mobility.
Simple and Efficient Application
Nematodes don't require anything fancy or high tech for application. All you need is a watering can or pump sprayer to apply them to your lawn. Mist, electrostatic, fan, pressurized, aerial, and hose-end sprayers will also get the job done, but again, a watering can will work just as well if that's all you have.
Watch Out For Fertilizers
The last thing you need to watch out for is fertilizer application. While it is encouraged you use your Burlington inground irrigation systems as usual, fertilizers may affect the effectiveness of your nematodes by adding too much nitrogen to the soil. Wait two weeks after you applied your nematodes to use fertilizer.
To get your quote for the best Burlington inground irrigation systems, contact Nutri-Lawn today!