Entonem Nematodes

Nematodes for Vine Weevil Larvae

Vine Weevil is one of the most damaging pests in ornamental pot plants, in strawberries or hardy ornamental stock and fruit. The adult weevils eat plant leaves during spring and summer, but it is the grubs that cause the most damage over autumn and winter when they feed on plant roots, causing wilting, and often plant death. Plants growing in pots or other containers, outdoors or under cover, can be severely damaged by vine weevil grubs. 

• Adult weevils cause irregular-shaped notches in leaf margins during the summer.
• The plump white legless grubs have light brown heads and are up to 10mm (about 3/8") long. They are likely to be found among the roots.
• Plants wilt and die during autumn to spring as a result of grubs devouring the roots.

The nematode works only on the larvae - not on the adult beetle.

• The best time to use the nematodes is from Mid March - Mid November when the temperature of the soil is still high and the grubs are small
• Dissolve in water and drench soil
• Soil temperature must be 8°C or higher
• This is a live product. Please use by best before date on packet
• The product can be used both in container cultivation and in open field cultivation. Please note: in open field cultivation in dry weather, the ground must be sprayed with water before using the nematodes
• Click here for Entonem application instructions
• Click here for an overview of nematodes

Can also be used against

This is a live product. Please use by best before date on packet.

Application

Preparation

1. Half an hour before preparing the product, remove the pack from the refrigerator and let it come up to room temperature (20°C).
2. Break the contents of the sachet into smaller pieces.
3. Use the entire pack and place the smaller pieces in a bucket containing five litres of water (at 15 to 20°C).
4. Leave the bucket with the solution to stand for five minutes.
5. Then stir the solution until all the lumps have disappeared before transferring it to the spray tank.
6. This 5 litres must be diluted in 200 litres of water for a 100m² area. i.e. 250ml of mix into 10 litres of water 20 times.

Application and dosage:

• With a watering can, sprinkler system, backpack sprayer, or Aquanemix.
• To avoid blockage, all filters should be removed
• The spray nozzle opening should be at least 0.5 mm (500 microns).
• Spray evenly over the soil/growing media.
• Continuous mixing should take place to prevent nematodes sinking to the bottom of the spray tank.
• Keep the soil moist for the first two weeks after application.

Best working conditions for Nematodes

• The moisture content of the soil must be high
• Soil temperature between 9 and 33°C. Steinernema feltiae can tolerater lower temperatures than other vine weevil nematodes and will still be effective at temperatures between 5 and 14°C - though slower acting.
• Nematodes are susceptible to ultraviolet light (UV): do not use them in direct sunlight
• Leaf applications should only be carried out in the evening to minimise the influence of UV light and to maximize moisture availability for the nematodes.
• Spray the crop with water before and after application.