Nematodes and Your Ottawa Inground Irrigation
Are you grappling with grubs? Don't let these little larvae destroy your lawn this summer. Learn the ins and outs of using beneficial nematodes and your Nutri-Lawn Ottawa inground sprinkler system. With the right application, and the right amount of irrigation, your lawn will be free from grubs in no time. Nutri-Lawn Ottawa has the straight facts to get you on your way to grub-free grass this season.
How do beneficial nematodes work?
Beneficial nematodes are parasites. Despite this, beneficial nematodes are 100% safe for your pets and for humans. Nematodes are completely organic, and require no chemicals to survive.
Nematodes hunt through your lawn for grubs. When they've found the grubs, they enter the host insect through any opening or orifice they can find, and then excrete harmful bacteria. Once this bacterium infects the host, you can say bye to grubs. The bacterium kills the grub, and the dead body is left for food for the fresh batch of nematodes that multiplies within the host body.
While this process may not sound appetizing to most homeowners, nematodes do the job safely. Their ability to multiply quickly means that you have a large supply of nematodes to get rid of the grubs effectively and efficiently.
What do nematodes attack?
Nematodes won't work for every insect infestation. Luckily, Nutri-Lawn Ottawa can also help you with those pesky insects that aren't covered by nematodes. In the meantime, below is a list of insects that are preyed upon by beneficial nematodes.
- Asiatic beetle
- Black vine weevil
- Common chafer
- Strawberry root weevil
- June beetle
- May beetle
- Japanese beetle
- European chafer
What to avoid during application
While it may be difficult to plan in advance, try to avoid a windy day. The wind can carry the nematode application away from your grass, or can make it clump onto one area of your lawn.
Make sure also that you haven't used pesticides 10 days prior to or following an application. The pesticide can kill the nematodes, therefore effectively reducing your chances of grub elimination.
How to apply nematodes flawlessly
The critical thing to remember about nematodes is that they need a soft soil to tunnel through to find the grubs. For this reason, a moist lawn is optimal. While nematodes are in your lawn, your inground irrigation is going to be crucial to your success.
The lawn on which the nematodes are applied should be moist at the time of application. You'll also want to run your Nutri-Lawn Ottawa inground sprinkler system just after application to create the ideal environment for your nematodes to thrive.
To apply the nematodes properly, the package of beneficial nematodes is mixed with the amount of water prescribed by the manufacturer. It’s poured into a sprayer, and then sprayed evenly over the lawn. It's important that you do this so that the nematodes are spread out in an even layer over the entire property.
For 10 days following the application, make sure your Nutri-Lawn Ottawa inground sprinkler system is running regularly to keep the lawn moist.
Finally, try to plan the application to be on a day with ideal temperatures. The perfect range is in between 14 and 30 degrees Celsius.
You're now ready to effectively combat damaging grubs. Contact us today to receive your complimentary quote from Nutri-Lawn Ottawa. You’ll be glad you did!