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Nemaslug®
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Biopesticide for the control of slugs
Nemaslug, based on a strain of the mollusc pathogenic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, providing the only available biological solution for the control of slugs.
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Slugs are one of the most widely known pests of cultivated plants. They cause serious damage in many agricultural and horticultural crops as well as private gardens. They attack a wide variety of plants by feeding on seeds, leaves, stems, flowers and root structures. All species of slugs are capable of causing subterranean damage. Chemical (pellets) are only effective against slugs on the surface and can be harmful to domestic animals and wildlife. Nemaslug works underground, providing control where the pest is often present.
Benefits
Quickly controls damage caused by slugs.
- Natural product that is safe to users, consumers, wildlife and the environment.
- Simply applied as a drench.
- Effective for up to 6 weeks, allowing a single dose to protect most crops through the susceptible early propagation or seedling growth stage.
- No crop residues, therefore, can be safely applied at any time.
- Non toxic, no requirement for protective clothing.
- Compatible with other biological / IPM systems.
- No pest resistance problems.
- Compatible with a large range of chemical pesticides.
How Nemaslug works
Nemaslug owes its consistent control of slugs to the way in which it works. Applications to the soil contain nematodes in their vigorously infective stage. These aggressive organisms actively seek out and attack slugs. They invade the slug via the dorsal pore, which is a small hole at the back of the mantle (the raised area on the slugs back).once inside, the nematodes release bacteria that stop the slug feeding within three days. The mantle swells as the nematodes reproduce and the slug eventually dies underground after 7-10 days. So don’t expect to see dead slugs lying around. The nematodes continue to reproduce as the body is broken down and further generations of infective nematodes move off into the soil to locate further prey.
For Best Results
For crops attacked during germination or immediately after emergence or planting out, apply Nemaslug five days prior to emergence/planting. Otherwise apply Nemaslug to the susceptible stages of the crop.
Delay applications on crops that are susceptible later in the season. For example, with potatoes apply Nemaslug 6-7 weeks before harvest, when the tubers are very sensitive to slug attack.
For optimum results, use Nemaslug when soil temperatures are between 5oC (41oF) and
25 oC (77oF). |
