Scale Nematodes (4 packs)

Full Description

Control scale insects by spraying with Scale Nematodes. Scale insect is difficult to spot, so look out for the symptoms of an attack i.e. sticky lower leaves, sooty mould and yellowing of top leaves. Outside, keep a close watch on camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas and box. Underglass, scale is very particular to all types of citrus. There are a number of different species of scale, although they are all similar in appearance & they are unlike any other pest as they don’t look alive at all! Scale insects are motionless and are stuck firmly to the stem and the underside of leaves (often around the veins) from which they suck the sap. They are dome shaped, about 0.6cm fully grown, light brown when young but gradually darken as they mature. They feed on the sap of the plant, leading to a yellowing of the leaves and in extreme cases total defoliation. Scale insects produce large quantities of honey dew which drips onto the lower leaves. Initially clear and sticky, it is then colonized by sooty mould, which is unsightly and reduces the ability of the plant to produce food, leading to further weakness and loss of vigour. This mould and honeydew are the first signs of an attack. A female scale insect produces a mass of eggs i.e. between 500 and 2000! and then dies. The eggs are laid under the scale which protects them as they develop. The eggs hatch to produce a crawler stage which settles on a suitable part of the plant, starts to feed and becomes immobile. The length of the life cycle depends on temperature but at 20°C it normally takes 10 weeks from egg to adult.

Control Scale Insect UNDERGLASS & OUTDOORS by spraying with Scale Nematodes AS SOON as you see scale and the temp is 14°C/58°F. N.B. Scale Insect Nematodes need a temperature of 14°C and being a perishable product it does not keep, so only order when the pest is present and you are ready to apply.

• Controlling scale outdoors – Permanent outdoors plants should be treated when the temperature is above 14°C i.e. normally between April and September. Potted outdoor plants can be moved into a greenhouse or conservatory and treated at anytime.
• Controlling scale in your greenhouse or conservatory – spray your plants with scale nematodes at anytime as long as the temp is 14°C.

The Scale Nematodes are applied 4 times at 2 week intervals (with a 3 week gap between the 2nd and 3rd applications), so we send you 2 SEPARATE deliveries at 3 weekly intervals. The 1st delivery of nematodes of 2 PACKS of nematodes are delivered by 1st class post and will fit through the letterbox and should be popped in the fridge until needed – they will have an expiry date of approx 3 weeks. Leave the 2nd pack of nematodes in the fridge and mix the 1st pack of nematodes nematodes with water and spray the infected plants, concentrating on the undersides of the leaves and stems and then keep the foliage moist for 12 hours. This can be achieved by damping down the leaves with a gentle soft water spray, being careful not to wash the nematodes off, or by covering the plant with polythene (put the plant in a bin bag if small enough) for 12 hours following treatment. Use the 2nd pack of Scale Nematodes 2 weeks later. 2 more packs of Scale Nematodes will follow 3 weeks later and should be used in exactly the same way i.e. apply at 2 weekly intervals. Our price includes 4 packs of Scale Nematodes sent in 2 introductions at 3 weekly intervals. N.B. Please note that once the scale insects are killed, they will remain on the plant, which will often lead people to believe that the control is not working. The first indication that the control is working is that honeydew will stop being produced so if the mould is washed off – SB Invigorator is very good at doing this – it will not come back. The scale itself can be removed by hand.

N.B. Need a Sprayer? Add one to your basket and save £2.50 off a Soda Bottle Sprayer or a Pressure Sprayer. Or save £3.99 off a Topbuxus Rechargeable 2L Sprayer – savings applied at the checkout.