Nematode	Target Pest
Steinernema  carpocapsae	Annual bluegrass weevil Bluegrass billbug Hunting billbug Black cutworm Dog/cat flea larvae European crane fly Armyworms Sod webworms
Steinernema     riobravae     Steinernema     scapterisci	Tawny mole cricket Southern mole cricket
Heterorhabditis   bacteriophora	Black turfgrass ataenius European chafer Green June beetle Japanese beetle May/June beetles No. masked chafer So. masked chafer SW. masked chafer West. masked chafer

Storage and handling
Storage recommendations vary according to the product, and should be followed strictly. However, nematodes must be stored in a cool and dry location out of the direct sunlight. Most products require refrigerated storage. Do not expose to extreme temperature for long periods of time. Nematodes must not be frozen. Do not open bottles until ready to use. Do not store diluted product. 

Application
Nematodes could be applied like most other conventional pesticides using backpack sprayers, pull-behind tank sprayers or fertigation systems. Dosage rates could vary according to the pest or product, but normally about 2.5 billion nematodes are applied to one hectare area. Following important points should be followed while applying nematodes:

 
1. Nematodes must be applied during early morning or late evening when intensity of lethal sun light is minimal.
2. Nematodes should not be applied to hot and dry soil. If the soil is dry and hot, apply irrigation of at least 0.1 inch of water before applying the nematodes. 
3. Carrier volume should be 2-5 gallons of water per 1000 sq. ft. of treatment area.
4. Agitation must be provided in the spray tank to ensure proper mixing and dispersion of the product during spraying. 
5. Sprayer screen sizing must be 50 mesh or coarser or screens can be removed to prevent clogging
6. The application should be followed by irrigation of at least 0.1 inch of water within 30 minutes of treatment if environmental conditions are warm and dry; within 2 hours if conditions are cool and moist. Post-application irrigation prevents drying of the nematodes on the foliage. 

 
1. Lightly water (syringe) area to be treated to moisten turf surface and cool irrigation lines.
2. Pre-mix the required amount of product in sufficient water to uniformly inject the entire irrigation system.
3. Inject nematodes during the second watering. Add nematodes to a clean feeder tank. Suspension must be continuously agitated during injection to prevent nematodes from settling. After injection, rinse feeder tank with clean water and inject into system to purge nematodes from fertigation system.
4. After application, immediately irrigate treated area with a minimum of 0.1 inch of water. 

Disposal
Product and container waste resulting from the use of nematode products may be disposed of on site or at any approved waste disposal facility in accordance with federal and local regulations. 

Compatibility with chemical pesticides
Although nematodes can be applied together with some chemicals used for turf maintenance, but they are not compatible with all chemicals. Therefore, instructions on the label must be followed prior to mixing the product with any other chemical. If there are no instructions on the label, the manufacturer of the product should be contacted. Most failures of nematode applications can be attributed to their incompatibility with other chemicals. Steinernema carpocapsae is generally less influenced by most chemicals as compared to the other nematodes such as Steinernema riobravae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Table 2 (below) lists chemicals that have been found to reduce nematode efficacy when exposed directly. These chemicals should not be tank mixed with nematodes. To obtain best results, nematode applications should be made 1-2 weeks before or after application of these chemicals.

Expected results
If properly applied and environmental conditions are favorable, most nematode products will provide insect control comparable to most insecticides. However, nematodes take 2-5 days to kill most insects and the speed to kill depends on soil temperature. While high soil temperatures (above 90^oF) could be lethal, low soil temperatures (below 50^oF) will slow nematode activity. 

Suppliers
Refer to the Insect Parasitic Nematode Retail Suppliers page!