Matthew Martin, BASF’s strategic key account manager, tells Simon King that nematodes are easy to use, but require knowledgeable people to convey how to use the products in-store

Farmers and growers across the globe use beneficial nematodes to control damaging insect pests and slugs, in agricultural, protected ornamental, and home and garden markets.

Matthew Martin, BASF strategic key account manager, says: “BASF produces a wide range of products containing naturally occurring, beneficial nematodes to treat insect pest species for the home and garden space and professional fresh produce sector.

“Beneficial nematodes are tiny, microscopic worms that are always present in the soil. They offer a means to control insect pests whilst working with the environment.

Matthew says there are many key benefits to using nematodes.

“They are easy to apply – simply mix the nematodes into a watering can, bucket or hose applicator and apply to the required area,” Matthew says.

“BASF offers different nematodes to treat a wide range of crops and grasses, whether in allotments, flower beds, potted plants, lawns and greenhouses etc, offering a consistently high performance. With no residues or runoff, nematodes offer preventative and curative control of target insect pests, which means the target pest can’t develop resistance to the nematodes.”

Nematodes are most effective when used within 24 hours of purchase or stored in the fridge for application by the use-by date, which is identified on the pack.

“For best results it is advised to pre-mix the nematodes into a bucket filled with tap water or in the watering can used to apply them,” Matthew says.

“Keep the soil damp after application for up two weeks to give the nematodes the best chance of controlling the pest insects.”

Store support
BASF offers a technical helpline to support store staff with technical or general queries relating to nematodes.

“We, at BASF, have undertaken an extensive range of trials and have 30 years’ experience in their use, meaning we will have an answer to most of the common queries that users may have,” Matthew says.

“BASF is able to provide training materials and sessions to store staff; the technical helpline is available during office hours for general and technical queries relating to nematodes.”

Product and usage advice
Matthew says: “Nematodes are easy to use. Just mix into a watering can at the required dose rate: for example, for the Nemaslug 2.0 12 M pack treats up to 40sqm – 40 litres of water or four 10-litre watering cans, however, the volume of water may vary according to the nematode product.

“Nematodes are already naturally occurring in the UK and are easy to use with no concerns about harmful residue or run off – the products can be used at different times in the year and provide an effective means of reducing insect pest populations.”

Matthew says that it’s key to ensure the soil around the plants receiving a nematode application is moist and kept damp for around 14 days after application.

“Apply nematodes within 24 hours of purchase or store in a fridge until required and use by the date label which is applied to each pack at the point of dispatch from BASF cold storage,” he adds.

“Apply when plants and lawns are growing; don’t apply when the ground is frozen, covered in snow, flooded or in a drought.”