Time to Prepare for Tick Season

In Virginia, Lyme Disease cases are on the rise. To help rid your property of pesky ticks, we recommend investing in some beneficial nematodes. Before you worry about the impact on your garden, let me explain that beneficial nematodes are different from plant-eating nematodes. They are tiny parasites that prey on the pests that live in the top layer of your soil by entering their bodies during the larvae stage. Did you know that ticks have a larvae stage? Then, a bacteria is released from the nematodes which kills the host within 48 hours. James Donegan recommends using the nematode Steinernema carpocapsae which is acclimated to cooler climates. The application should be performed annually, and please note that ticks in the adult stage are less likely to be affected.

Types of insects that can be mitigated through the use of beneficial nematodes include:

• Ticks
• Japanese Beetles
• Termites
• Fleas
• Webworms

The application should be performed annually in the spring. Here is an option for purchasing your own beneficial nematodes!