Beneficial Nematodes

[vfuller]

Hi,

I go by gardener gal. I live in Princeton,Texas. I have been a ground crew member for two years but listening to Howard Garrett for about four years. I have a fairly large garden and I own almost two acres. My husband travels a lot for his job so I have to take care of the home place by myself most of the time. I have two grown daughters,and two cats. I love gardening,and all kinds of plants. I love reading,cooking sometime and fishing. My question is how do you tell if beneficial nemetodes are alive? Do you have to have a microscope or just a magnifying glass. If so, what power? Also what do they look like when alive?

Thank you

gardener gal

[Tony M]

Hi-
I'm kinda of your neighbor to the west. I live west of 75 and just north of 380.
Nematodes are microscopic, non-segmented worms which occur naturally in soil all over the world. Thousands of strains exist with different life-styles. Beneficial ones attack soil dwelling insects and leave plants alone. These predators enter the host through body openings or by penetration of the body wall. Once inside, they release a bacterium which kills the host within 48 hours. The nematode continues to reproduce and its offspring begin to seek out new host material. Beneficial nematodes are a totally safe biological control parasitic insect organism. They are so safe that the EPA has waived the registration requirements for application.
You need a microscope to know if they are alive. A scope with minimal magnification will do. If you don't have one, we do. Send me a pm and you can come over and use it.
Tony M