You Are Here: Management Updates 2003 Archive April 29, 2003

Date: April 29, 2003
Category: Insects
Subject: Where Do I Find Entomopathogenic Nematodes to Control Grubs?

Many turf managers have been asking me where they might obtain the nematodes that might work on white grubs. First let me repeat that the only species of nematode we have tested in Massachusetts that shows any promise on white grubs is "Heterorhabditis bacteriophora". Remember that we have seen acceptable levels of control with this species in tests applied in late August, but have not tested the nematodes against grubs that are present in the spring. We have seen significant reductions in populations of Japanese beetles, European chafers, and oriental beetles. However, my colleague at Rutgers University (Albrecht Koppenhoffer) very politely suggests that we may have been "lucky" with our trials. He has consistently seen the HB nematode working quite well on Japanese beetles but NOT on the other species. Since Albrecht knows a lot more about nematodes and grubs than I do, I caution any readers of this update to use the nematodes carefully. In other words, they may or may not work in fall applications on species other than Japanese beetles. And I really do not know what to expect with spring applications.

Now - where do you obtain the nematodes? Unfortunately, they are not often carried by the local garden supply stores, which instead carry other nematode species that are NOT known to do very well against grubs. I perused a list of biological control supplies, provided by the Bio-Integral Resource Center in Berkeley, California, and have pulled out the following list of suppliers who claim to provide Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. This list is for your information only, and is not intended to imply any sort of endorsement or recommendation. In other words, let the buyer beware!

If you have further questions about these suppliers you might contact BIRC directly (P.O. Box 7414, Berkeley, CA 94707) http://www.birc.org.

Listed in alphabetical order and including only those companies located in North America:

BioLogic P.O. Box 177 Willow Hill, PA 17271 phone 717-349-2789 fax 801-912-7137		Natural Insect Control RR #2 Stevensville, Ontario CANADA L0S 1S0 phone 905-382-2904 fax 905-382-4418
Integrated Biocontrol Systems P.O, Box 96 Aurora, IN 47001 phone 812-537-8674 fax 812-537-8644		Peaceful Valley Farm Supply P.O. Box 2209 110 Springhill Dr. Grass Valley, CA 95945 phone 530-272-4769 fax 530-272-4794
IPM Laboratories, Inc. P.O. Box 300 Locke, NY 13092-0300 phone 315-497-2063 fax 315-497-3129		Plant Health Care 440 William Pitt Way Pittsburgh, PA 15238 phone 1-800-421-9051 fax 412-826-5445
Koppert USA 28465 Beverley Rd. Romulus, MI 48174 phone 1-800-928-8827 fax 734-641-3793

- Submitted by: Dr. Pat Vittum