Codling moths can cause significant damage to apple, pear, and other fruit trees and can be hard to manage. Gardening Naturally codling moth nematodes are a natural organic pest control designed to reduce codling moth populations in your garden. The nematodes are microscopic transparent worms that live in the soil and feed and multiply inside the codling moth larvae they come into contact with. These nematodes are a mix of Steinernema nematodes. Unlike synthetic pest control options, these highly specific natural predators will hunt day and night to protect your fruit from unwanted intruders while leaving other beneficial insects alone. How does it work? Nematodes naturally occur within soil in the UK, but in low numbers. By adding more of these moth-specific nematodes, you can quickly reduce codling moth larvae populations. When they come into contact with a codling moth larva, they enter through natural openings and feed and multiply. Within days, the codling moth will stop eating, and within a week, it will die. The nematodes will multiply and spread out, seeking more codling moth larvae to continue to propagate. Most of this occurs below the surface. What are signs of codling moths? Holes in fruit with brown trails beneath the skin. Fruit that falls early. White larvae with brown heads hiding inside fruits. How do I use them? Gardening Naturally nematodes are supplied as a dry powder which can be mixed with water in a watering can and then applied to the trees you want to protect. We advise applying them twice in the year, once in April, June or July when the larvae are first active and a second time in Autumn before it gets too cold to control any new populations before they can pupate. Is it safe? Nematodes are completely natural and prevalent in most gardens throughout the UK. Gardening Naturally predatory nematodes are simply a more precise and effective version, which will only target the local codling moth population. They are designed for use where pets and other wildlife are present, When is the best time to use Nematodes? The best time to use these nematodes would be when the codling moth larvae are first active in April, June or July and then again in Autumn before the next generation gets a chance to pupate. The nematodes work best after the temperature outside are consistently above 5°C and when it isn't too sunny or hot. If you need to use them on a warm day, we recommend using them on an overcast day or in the evening. Application Advice: Wet the bark and soil beneath the tree that you would like to treat. Dissolve the entire contents of the pack in a bucket containing 4L of water to create a solution. Stir vigorously and then take 500ml of the solution and add it to a 4.5L of water either in a sprayer or a watering can Apply this mix to 2 trees that you wish to treat Repeat steps 1 and 4 until the whole solution has been used. In total, you should go through 8 watering cans (40L of water) and cover up to 16 fruit trees.
