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GRUB-AWAY™ BENEFICIAL NEMATODES

Heterorhabditis bacteriophora - Improved Strain

Safe for people, animals and plants. Also, harmless to beneficial insects and earthworms.

NATURAL PEST CONTROL FOR:

Borers, Japanese beetle grubs, masked chafer grubs, other white grubs, cutworms, root weevils, black vine weevils, flea larvae, leafminers. Parasitic nematodes are a totally safe biological control, superior to chemical controls. While chemicals kill indiscriminately, parasitic nematodes only attack certain insects that spend at least part of their lives in (or on the surface of ) the soil. Until now, our only protection against soil-dwelling pests has been crop rotation or soil fumigation.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:

This package contains 5, 10, 25, or 50 million nematodes. You may apply your nematodes with a sprayer, hose end sprayer, or watering can. See instructions below for extraction, dilution and application rates.

EXTRACTING THE NEMATODES FROM THE PACKAGE:

To extract nematodes from the package, remove the plastic covering and empty contents into 2 quarts clean tap water.

DILUTION OF NEMATODE SUSPENSION FOR APPLICATION:

You now have two quarts of water containing your nematodes. Add this mixture to enough water to cover the area to be treated. There is no set amount of water recommended for dilution of your nematodes, since the water is simply a carrying agent to get the nematodes into the ground. They will move in search of pests after application. As long as you purchased enough nematodes to spot treat your infested area, it makes no difference how much or how little water you mix with them. If you have a heavy infestation, use less water so they are more concentrated. If you are using a hose end sprayer, use the setting with the largest opening so as not to impede the flow of the nematodes. If your hose end sprayer holds less than two quarts of liquid, application can be made in parts, until you cover the entire infested area. Shake or stir mixture frequently during application.

APPLICATION RATES:

Always water the area of ground to be treated before application, and water again after application. Application during a rain is ideal.

LAWN APPLICATION FOR GRUBS:

After diluting with water, apply nematodes onto lawn surface at the following rates: If you purchased 5 million this will spot treat 500 sq. ft.; 10 million will spot treat 600 sq. ft.; 25 million will spot treat 1500 sq. ft.; and 50 million will spot treat 3000 sq. ft. Only spot treat infested areas of lawns. It is not necessary to treat non-infested areas.

LAWN APPLICATION FOR FLEA LARVAE:

After diluting with water, apply nematodes onto lawn surface at the following rate: If you purchased 5 million this will spot treat 300 sq. ft.; 10 million will spot treat 1000 sq. ft.; 25 million will spot treat 2500 sq. ft.; and 50 million will spot treat 5000 sq. ft.

GARDEN APPLICATION FOR STRAWBERRY, CARROT, AND BLACK VINE WEEVIL LARVAE:

After diluting with water: If you purchased 5 million this will spot treat 250 sq. ft.; 10 million will spot treat 500 sq. ft.; 25 million will spot treat 1250 sq. ft.; and 50 million will spot treat 2500 sq. ft.

FOR CUTWORMS:

If you purchased 5 million this will spot treat 100-150 sq. ft. FOR IRIS BORERS: Spray thoroughly over leaves. This will automatically soak the soil around the rhizome. If borers have been a problem in the past, spray once as soon as temperatures are over 50°F as a "pre-emptive strike". Spray again if damage is observed.

GARDEN SYRINGE APPLICATION FOR SQUASH VINE BORERS:

Depending on the package size of nematodes you extracted into two quarts of water, you should have the following quantities of nematodes per cc. For a package of 5 million there will be 2500 nematodes per cc; for a package of 10 million, 5000 nematodes per cc; for a package of 25 million, 12,500 nematodes per cc; for a package of 50 million, 25,000 nematodes per cc. Try to use 5000 nematodes per injection. Shake or stir mixture before each filling of syringe. If you accidentally push the plunger too far, don't worry about over-application. A few extra nematodes won't hurt effectiveness. However, the recommended application of 5000 per injection should be more than adequate. For Squash Vine Borers, inject at the first sign of damage. Injections should be made at 4-inch intervals over the first 3 feet of main stem. This is equal to 45,000 nematodes per 3 ft. vine. To determine how many to order, take the number of vines you will be treating times 45,000. If there is evidence of borer activity or egg laying over more that the first 3 ft. of vine, make additional injections as necessary.

NOTE:

A second needle is included with all syringes. Since the needles have a tendency to clog up with tissue from the vine, you may find it easier to make a hole in the vine with the second needle. Then insert the syringe needle and inject nematodes.

TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS:

Use immediately. If this is not possible, store in your refrigerator for no more than a day or two. Ideal storage is 60°F.
Avoid application during the heat of the day, during a rain is ideal. Early evenings and mornings are the best application times.
After application of nematodes, additional watering, not drenching is recommended to help the nematodes move down into the soil.
Regular watering (1/2" to 1" daily for 3 days after application) will improve results.
Apply at temperatures above 60°F.
Use all nematodes in a single application session.