Nematodes - A few Questions.

[jonohanson]

At my allotment this year I have been inundated with slugs and ants, they have been feasting on my strawberry's mainly, the ants are also harvesting aphids on other things and slugs eating anything else that aint a weed.

On ebay there are different types of nematode(specifically for ants, slugs etc). Then there is an all purpose on that covers lots of nasties.

Do nematodes really work on ants?

Do you have to get their nest or just the ants coming in contact will do the job?

Is it best to get a combined pack or a specific one?

Many thanks

[alldigging]

The slugs are the ones I'd worry about.

[Tripmeup]

Well, I took the plunge yesterday and bought some slug nematodes...
I also have a home made batch brewing and threw some of the powder into that to give it a boost...

I watered everywhere (I mean everywhere ) with it and apparently it takes a week to work, so we shall see.....I will report back...

[lukens]

I tried the Nemasys 'Grow Your Own' for my cabbage root fly. It didn't work quickly enough to save my seedlings, but I've had no further trouble (but I did pick out all the maggots I could find, and have been using better prevention since).

It is one of the multi-target ones, including ants, but not including slugs.

[jonohanson]

Homemade nematodes?

[rustylady]

Homemade nematodes?

The war on slugs starts at home - Telegraph

[Tripmeup]

The war on slugs starts at home - Telegraph

Thanks Rustylady

[Kaiya]

I went for the slug one and have seen slugs since, and I can't tell if damage has reduced as they'd decimated my curcurbits anyway. Worth bumping up the nematode level anyway - only £9 for my whole plot to be treated. Brassicas seem happier but I think that's just because the flea beetle has moved on.

[Samurailord]

I dosed my garden a few weeks back - all the slugs appear to have gone but I have still got major snail problems.

Looks like I may have to resort to the blue pellets after all

Andy

[jonohanson]

My main problem is red ants, I have tons of them harvesting aphids, I have loads of ladybirds but I think the ants defend their farms. Plus the ants are eating my soft fruit

[Samurailord]

Pour boiling water on the ant hills and repeat a couple of times.

That should persuade them to move on

Andy