Last week, while preparing our newly constructed raised beds, I came across a wireworm in the soil, which was not good news as we intend to grow potatoes and other root veg. After doing some research, we discovered that there is an effective, organic, natural way of dealing with these pests: nematodes (microscopic worms).
We went online and found a website called Nematodes Direct. After identifying the nematode (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora), which the RHS recommends for combating wireworm, we placed our order. I’m not going to get into what nematodes do or how they work in this post. This will be covered in a video in the coming weeks.
While we were on the Nematodes Direct website we also came across another product called Nemasys Fruit and Veg Protection, which is a blend of different species of nematodes which kill a wide variety of pests that pose a threat to fruit and vegetables.
Given our rural location (we are surrounded by agricultural and grazing fields) we were concerned that our first veggie patch and its produce could be compromised by any number of common pests.
To be on the safe side, we purchased three of these fruit and veg protection packs because they contain a mix of nematode species to target carrot root fly, cabbage root fly, leatherjackets, cutworms, onion fly, ants, sciarid fly, caterpillars, gooseberry sawfly, thrips and codling moth.
We will review both products in the coming weeks when we apply them.
Nematodes Direct customer service
The customer service from Nematodes Direct has been excellent and their communication via email has been prompt, professional and informative. They sent out our order via first class Royal Mail on Monday and we received it two days later.
Unfortunately, when we opened the envelope, one of the Nemasys Fruit and Veg Protection boxes had been damaged during delivery. The packaging was damaged and the protective plastic cover over the nematodes was punctured.
I sent an email and photo to their support email address, and within minutes they replied that a replacement would be sent out immediately. Excellent service yet again.
If you’re looking to buy nematodes in the UK, I would certainly recommend getting them from this company.