how long before nematodes start to work?I

[delsupserve]

Ive got the dreaded vine weevil in one of my strawberry planters, I mooched around the first nine inches and picked out onehundred and fifty before i lost the will to live. Ive dumped all the compost out of the container and washed all the roots realy well (whats left of them) Should i dump these as well? I chacked my other planters and one plant is showings signs of weevil attack so ive orderded some nematodes. the question is how long after applting the nematodes do they start to work. all the other strawberry plants look healthy for the moment, im just wondering if it will be a race betweem the weevils and the nematodes to the bottom of the bag.This was my second year strawberries and i feel like dumping the lot All help gratefuuly accepted Devastated Mick:

[chris]

They'll start working if the soil is warm enough, and they're able to move through it (if I remember correctly, it needs to be damp (so wet if it's it's baked dry before you apply them), so they can glide around it with ease - I'm sure full details are included though).

that's what they're "born" to do, so as soon as they're let loose, so to speak they'll seek out and infect the target.

I seem to remember reading that nemaslug causes the slugs to stop feeding within a couple of days, and then die within a week - different product, not sure if the same nematodes are used for vine weevil as well as slugs though!

They do have a shelf life mind, as I'm sure you know..

[Nicos]

According to this, 48 hrs before they start to kill the grubs.

Defenders - Safe Effective Natural Biologist Pest Control for Gardeners

I've used nematodes against slugs and they worked a treat but you need to apply them as soon as you can after receiving them as they start to die off. Also kept above 5C- or they die, and the soil moist so they can move around in search of their prey.

Good luck- I may be having a go with the Vine weevil ones myself soon!!!

[delsupserve]

Thanks for both your replies, Looked through my other planter and low and behold this one is also infected, but not as bad as the first planter. Removed,wahed and inspected the plants that had a decent root system, then potted them on in pots, then got on the net and ordered some nematodes, two more planters to protect. Regards Mick.