What are nematodes?

1. What is a nematode and what does it do?
2. Are nematodes harmful to humans?
3. What exactly are nematodes?
4. Are nematodes good or bad?
5. What happens if you eat a nematode?
6. Can you see nematodes in soil?
7. Why are nematodes good for soil?
8. How do I get rid of nematodes in my soil?
9. Where do nematodes come from?
10. Which disease is caused by nematodes?
11. How do nematodes feed?
12. Where can I find nematodes?
13. Should I be worried about nematodes?
14. How do I apply nematodes to my garden?
15. When should I apply nematodes to my lawn?

What is a nematode and what does it do?

Many species of nematodes are 'free-living', living in soil, sea and freshwater. These feed on bacteria, fungi, protozoans and even other nematodes, and play a very important role in nutrient cycling and release of nutrients for plant growth. Other nematodes attack insects, and help to control insect pests.

Are nematodes harmful to humans?

The nematodes are not dangerous for humans, animals and the plant itself. Nematodes are also used in organic farming to destroy pests without resorting to aggressive poisons. The big advantage: other insects such as bees are not affected by the useful earthlings.

What exactly are nematodes?

Often referred to as roundworms, nematodes are not closely related to true worms. They are multicellular insects with smooth, unsegmented bodies. The nematode species that feed on plants are so tiny that you need a microscope to see them.

Are nematodes good or bad?

Most nematodes are harmless, but a handful of troublesome species attack the outside surfaces of plants, burrowing into the plant tissue and causing root, stem, folar and even flower damage. Other nematodes live inside the plants for part of their lives, causing damage from the inside out.

What happens if you eat a nematode?

When humans eat raw or undercooked infected fish or squid, they ingest nematode larvae. Once inside the human body, the larvae can invade the gastrointestinal tract. Eventually, the parasite dies and produces an inflamed mass in the esophagus, stomach, or intestine.

Can you see nematodes in soil?

Nematodes are translucent roundworms that live in all soil and water habitats and are the most abundant multicellular organisms on the earth. ... While most nematodes are so tiny that one needs a microscope to see them, many animal parasites are large enough to be seen easily with the naked eye.

Why are nematodes good for soil?

Nematodes enhance soil quality in four major areas: regulate the populations of other soil organisms, mineralize nutrients into plant-available forms, provide a food source for other soil organisms and consume disease-causing organisms. Nematodes are important nutrient mineralizers.

How do I get rid of nematodes in my soil?

To kill nematodes in soil, heat small quantities of moist soil to 140°F in the oven or by solarization. Heating soil in the oven over a time period needed to bake a medium-sized potato placed in the center of the soil is sufficient to kill nematodes; however, this is only practical for small quantities of soil.

Where do nematodes come from?

Nematodes are among the most abundant animals on Earth. They occur as parasites in animals and plants or as free-living forms in soil, fresh water, marine environments, and even such unusual places as vinegar, beer malts, and water-filled cracks deep within Earth's crust.

Which disease is caused by nematodes?

Nematode infections in humans include ascariasis, trichuriasis, hookworm, enterobiasis, strongyloidiasis, filariasis, trichinosis, dirofilariasis, and angiostrongyliasis (rat lungworm disease), among others.

How do nematodes feed?

Diet/Feeding

Nematodes feed on organic matter, both dead and alive such as small animals including other worms, or on diatoms, algae, fungi and bacteria. Some eat plants by piercing the stem or root and sucking out the contents.

Where can I find nematodes?

Nematodes that are present in soil are generally very small (0.3 to 1.5 mm) and cannot be detected by the naked eye. For this reason, taking soil samples for microscopic examination is the most reliable way to determine which nematodes are in a field.

Should I be worried about nematodes?

Seven out of every ten creatures alive on Earth are nematodes. Most species are microscopic in size, but some grow very large. In fact, one species of parasitic nematode can grow to be around 30' long. You don't need to worry about coming across that species in the garden.

How do I apply nematodes to my garden?

APPLICATION: Beneficial Nematodes are very easy to use. Mix with water and spray or sprinkle on the soil along garden plants or lawn. Put the contents of the Beneficial nematodes in a bucket of water and stir to break up any lumps, and let the entire solution soak for a few minutes.

When should I apply nematodes to my lawn?

Nematodes are most effective when the soil temperature reaches about 15C. This is weather dependent year to year but it is usually around mid May. When you see them available in your local garden centers, it is the correct time to apply them, not before.