Kitchen Garden Forum

Hi, Hoping someone can help me(1st posting and all). Can anyone tell me the difference between nematodes used to kill slugs & nematodes that damage root veg(potatoes mainly, I think)

welcome Mugwell2007.

No idea about nematodes though. Except that are lots of different species.

Totally different, I imagine.

Here's all you need to know about nematodes - and a lot you probably don't - at nematodes.org

Looks as if they are a bit like humans, you get some good ones and you get some bad ones.

Thanks for the welcome.I Read on RHS website about cyst nematodes on potatoes, as i am thinking of using nermaslug to control the local population, was hoping they are one and the same. Hope this makes answering first question easier

Thanks for the link ALAN, not quite what expected but led me via umpteenth search to THE GARDERNERS SHOP & advert for Nemaslug(sorry keep calling it nermaslug). Which states apply to potatoes 6 weeks before harvest, so should be safe & is approved by HDRA amongst others. Thanks for your help

Nematodes are small microscopic worms that naturally inhabit the soil. many worms and many types. Nemaslug supplies a particular nematode that predates on slugs, especially the small black keel slugs that live underground and come out at night to feed, These nematodes are not very effective on snails as I guess they live above ground level. By applying Nemaslug you are increasing the natural population already present and so combating the existing slug population.

When applying Nemaslug it is important to get plenty of water onto the soil to help wash in the nematodes. For this reason I prefer to use a superspray hose end sprayer which connects to a hose pipe rather than a watering can. see www.superspray.co.uk