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Beneficial Nematode Results...How long?
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Author:  patri-b [ Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Beneficial Nematode Results...How long?

:D Hi everyone! Hope you are all doing well. Our dog, Oreo, had come down with a really bad case of fleas. I have treated our backyard (twice) within a 3 week period with B.N. and have really worked hard on the inside of the house, sweeping, vacuuming (floors, mattresses...you name it!)saturated our wood floors (which are very old, I wouldn't recommend it on newer ones) with orange oil and mopped. I have set out flea traps(soapy water bowls under nightlights). They are finally under control in the house. I don't see very many, almost none at all. The dog has been staying outside until I saw some improvement. The fleas just loved our oldest daughter's legs...they looked like pizza :(

How long does it take the nematodes to work in the yard? What are the best conditions for them to work effectively? Does the soil have to be moist all the time? The first time I treated, The soil was a bit on the dry side, so I watered first and applied in the evening. The second time was a day or two after it had rained, again in the evening. I even shot a little on the dog and cat, I hope this doesn't hurt them. If I used diatomaceous earth, should I treat the whole yard? I have free roaming chickens, will this hurt them? Should I use food grade? How much should I apply? Do I re-apply after rain? This is my first attempt at this new lifestyle...ya'll can't tell it,can you? :lol:

Thanks for any input. Ya'll have a blessed week!
Patri

Author:  swb [ Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:35 am ]
Post subject:  The Flea Life Cycle

There are four stages of the flea life cycle: egg, larvae, pupae and adult. The different flea treatments work on the various stages. The pupae can stay in the pupae stage for a considerable amount of time (I think a year would not be exaggerating.) There are several things that can induce a flea to come out of the pupae as an adult. They are heat and vibration. Therefore in your home if you do a thorough vaccum the vibration of your vaccum cleaner is likely to show some more adults hatching and probably more in your traps. (Make sure to either treat or discard the vaccum bag afterwards because it will be laced with fleas and eggs). The same thing goes in your yard with the lawn mower. If you were killing fleas at the adult stage with a product I would definitely mow thoroughly before treating to hatch out more pupae so they could be killed. The adult flea treatments typically only work on the adult part of the lifecycle. The only way to kill fleas really is to pick a stage and stop the life cycle there but unfortunately you have to wait for the rest of the fleas to reach that stage before you can kill them.

I believe the nematodes actually eat either the pupae or larvae stages. I would assume they like it moist and the rain will not hurt them. What the rain WILL do is hatch out more fleas due to the vibrations of the rain drops on the soil surface. It might look like you have "an outbreak" when really all the pupae were there the whole time.

They say that two fleas can become 1 million in just 100 days. Each flea can consume 15 times her body weight in blood daily. If a pet gets inundated with fleas they can even become anoemic. I have heard of pets actually having to have a transfusion because of extreme owner neglect. Everyone should make sure to inspect their pet often. A few fleas won't kill them but a bombardment has the potential to even without all of the diseases that the fleas and tickets can carry. You should also inspect your pet's stool if you have an active flea population. Small white worms called tapeworms are VERY common especially with pets that groom themselves. They get tapeworms from actually eating/swallowing a flea.

The best benefit you get from the nematodes is that after you finally get things under control your nematodes can actually control fleas coming in from your neighbor's yard. They know no fence boundaries and when they're hungry they won't mind crossing over. If you know your neighbors it might not be a bad idea to warn them to keep an eye on their pets and possibly treat their yard as well so the fleas don't just keep coming back.

I know we have at least one veterinarian on the message boards that knows more about getting the maximum advantage when using the nematodes for flea treatment. I look forward to reading more comments.

Author:  Eden's Garden [ Thu Oct 27, 2005 7:00 pm ]
Post subject: 

How long does it take the nematodes to work in the yard? What are the best conditions for them to work effectively? Does the soil have to be moist all the time? The first time I treated, The soil was a bit on the dry side, so I watered first and applied in the evening. The second time was a day or two after it had rained, again in the evening.

You should start to see results by now, but like the previous post, there are cycles to go through. The soil doesn't have to be sopping wet, but moist enough to sustain plant life. It is much more effective to apply as you did - water first, either by rain or the hose, and then apply early evening. Especially in the hot weather. This time of the year though, you want to be careful about watering in the evenings as the cooler temps can promote fungal growth in your turf and on your plant leaves if there isn't enough time for them to dry sufficently before the cooler temps move in for the night. So, pick a cloudy, cool day, moisten the soil with the sprinkler, apply with water like the directions - make sure they are still alive when you put them down - and the results should be fine for the nematodes to survive.

I even shot a little on the dog and cat, I hope this doesn't hurt them.

Shouldn't hurt them, but I doubt the nematodes lived too long. :lol:

If I used diatomaceous earth, should I treat the whole yard? I have free roaming chickens, will this hurt them? Should I use food grade? How much should I apply? Do I re-apply after rain?

Don't apply the de too soon after the nematodes or you may effectively kill some off that haven't made their way down into the soil yet. Would wait a day or so between. Also, DE is most effective for insects when dusted out lightly and dry - which goes opposite your conditions for the nematodes. It won't hurt the chickens, I dust mine to help with mites. Just don't create a dust bowl if they are feeding in the area as no one should breathe in too much of any kind of dusty stuff. Be patient. Things will go back to normal. Stay diligent in your cleaning and an all natural product that goes a long way to help both on the pets and in the house is called Flea n Tick B Gone. I've used it while grooming on both cats and dogs and it kills a flea dead in seconds! :twisted: If you can't find it, call me and I'll send it to you or bring it depending on your distance. It is only 14.99 for a 16oz bottle that can be diluted 1/2 with water, used as a bath and as a spray on furniture, clothes, animals and just a plain old good insect killer. Enzymes break down the insects' exosklelatal (sp?) system and they die rather quickly. Roaches take a little longer, but fleas - no problem. Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help. And your chickens should be helping too actually. You may even consider a few guinea hens. I hear they eat fleas - not sure, mine eat whatever they can find. Good luck!

Eden's Organic Garden Center - eogc@airmail.net 972-948-8277

Author:  patri-b [ Fri Oct 28, 2005 8:47 am ]
Post subject: 

:D Thank you both sooooooo much. To you swb_rob for the very informative post on the life cycle of the flea--I had no idea! I have experiencing a new wave of them in my son's room (where the dog slept) and the vibrations would explain this new wave of them (though not near as bad, Thank the Lord!) And Eden's Garden, your post was so encouraging to me. I will look and see if the feed store I shop at carries it, if I don't find it-you'll be hearing from me. Thank you both again for your information and encouraging words. It sure helps out a newbie like me when faced with what seems like an impossible situation. Have a blessed week! :D

Patri

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