NEMASLUG ®

Biopesticide for the control of slugs

Based on a strain of the mollusc pathogenic nematode Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita.

The slug: one of the most widely known pests of cultivated plants. They attack a wide variety of plants and cause havoc in many horticultural and agricultural crops, feeding on seedlings, leaves, stems, flowers and root structures. Chemical pellets are only effective against slugs on the soil surface, and pose toxicity to other wildlife and domestic animals. All species of slug are capable of causing subterranean damage. Nemaslug works underground, providing control where the pest is often present.

Benefits of Nemaslug

• Unique biological product
• Natural product that is safe to users, consumers, wildlife and the environment
• Simply applied as a drench
• Effective for up to 6 weeks
• No pest resistance problems
• Compatible with a broad range of chemical pesticides
• No crop residues, zero harvest interval
• Compatible with IPM programs
• Non-toxic, no protective clothing requirements
• No disposal restrictions

How does Nemaslug work?

Applications of Nemaslug to the soil contain nematodes in their vigorously infective stage. These aggressive organisms actively seek out and attack slugs.

Once the nematode locates a slug it invades it through the dorsal pore, which is a small hole at the back of the mantle (raised area on the slug's back). Once inside, the nematodes release bacteria that stop the slug feeding within 3 days.

The mantle swells as the nematodes reproduce within the slug which will eventually die underground after 7-10 days. The nematodes continue to reproduce as the slug's body is broken down and further generations of infective nematodes move off into the soil to locate further slugs.

Formulation

Each Nemaslug pack contains infective juvenile nematodes in an inert carrier. When mixed with water, the nematodes readily form a suspension that is easily applied as a drench.

Nemaslug is effective for up to 6 weeks, allowing a single dose to protect most crops through the susceptible propagation or seedling growth stage.

Application timings

For crops attacked during germination or immediately after emergence or planting out, apply Nemaslug 5 days prior to emergence/planting out. Otherwise apply Nemaslug to the susceptible stages of the crop.

Delay applications on crops that are susceptible later in the season. For example, in potato crops, apply Nemaslug 6-7 weeks before harvest, when the tubers are very sensitive to slug attack.

For optimum results, apply Nemaslug to moist soil and when soil temperatures are between 5 °C and 25 °C (41-77 °F) if moisture levels are low, ideally apply a spray of pure water after Nemaslug application to wash the nematodes into the soil and also off any foliage.

New LARGE pack size available for field scale use, contact us for more information

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