LymeNet Flash: HEY, EASY! beneficial nematodes kill ticks!

This is topic HEY, EASY! beneficial nematodes kill ticks! in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/60618

Posted by caat (Member # 2321) on :

I happened across some interesting stuff tonight looking up beneficial nematodes. I'm using them for leaf miners in my swiss chard.

Beneficial nematodes are tiny worms that attack different insect larvae in your garden. You can find them in many nurseries or online. They also attack many tick species and some people are using them to attack ticks preying on cattle.

I'm using a mix of Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae. I googled;

Steinernematidae OR Heterorhabditidae veteranary infection

to see if there were any cases of mammals being infected by them. Didn't find any. However all this stuff about ticks came up.

Here's the google search for anyone who wants to look further;

http://www.google.com/search?q=Steinernematidae+OR+Heterorhabditidae+veteranary+infection&hl=xx-elmer&start=50&sa=N

and here is a handy technical article on what benificial nematodes are and how to apply them etc;
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/pathogens/nematodes.html

WARNING- these nematodes might also kill a lot of beetles, flies, moth/butterfly caterpillars and maybe even bees- (I don't know yet about bees but possible... That would not be good.)

It's late & I'm going to bed now. Good night [Smile]

Posted by caat (Member # 2321) on :

up

this is real easy for people who think they or their pets might be getting re-infected by that brush full of %^&* ticks in their backyard.

Buy a nematode mix at a nursery ($16 - $30). Rinse the sponge full of them in luke warm water for a while. Dilute as needed. Put water in a large 2 gallon nursery sprayer (like $30). Spray the brush.

Best in late spring when it's raining off and on in cold weather climates. OR water the brush lightly every day for 7 to 10 days in the summer.

I wouldn't eat them, but I can NOT find any cases of any mammals being infected. All literature says they do NOT infect mammals.

You can also look up your particular varieties of ticks on google to make sure they'll eat them.

These have been applied to many crops including commercial lettuce and I think it's unlikely they'll travel very far.