Works for Iris borers.
Linda C

Had the same thought as you did Ken. Bought a container of the Bayer systemic for trees (for a pine tree that's being attacked by minute sapsucking bugs) and a container for plants last weekend at HD. Will apply this weekend and keep track of the plants next season.

The organic soap stuff I sprayed on last year had a positive effect. Not 100%, but there are 80% less plants with the nems so far this season, and I didn't have to dig them up, boil them or cut them apart, I don't want to disturb my plants more than I have to. That's why I'm going to try the Bayer product too.

word of caution re: Bayer 3-in-1 systemic. I bought some a couple of years ago to use on a rose that has a tendancy to blackspot - I thought it would be a great alternative to spraying (which I don't do). I mixed it according to the directions and poured it around the base of the rose. Within a minute there were a couple of earthworms writhing on top of the soil in obvious distress. A few minutes passed and the entire surface of the soil around the rose was covered in dead earthworms.
I work too hard adding organic material to inmprove my soil and attract earthworms to wipe them out by using this product.

I do not know what effect Merit may have on the beneficial critters, and I do understand collateral damage is sometimes acceptable, but for me it wasn't worth it.

Alexa

Ken,
I have not used the Bayer product, and I do not advocate using pesticides in ways not listed on the label. But let's, for the sake of argument, suggest that maybe a similar systemic Ortho product was being sprayed on roses. As sometimes might occur, with even the most careful application, a little "overspray" happened.

Now, again for the sake of argument, let's assume some of that overspray landed on some hostas that had visually confirmed infestations of nematodes. Now, we assume that the same spray was applied to the same roses, and by coincidence, the same nematode infected hostas got some overspray on them.

The roses do well and the hostas have not had nematodes for two years!

Everybody please quit worrying about 'todes and send infected plants to me.

Nematodes ARE EASILY CURED, AND PLEASE DON'T THROW OUT ANY TREE-HUGGER MUMBO-JUMBO CRAP. IF WE REALLY LIVED THAT WAY 50 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WOULD STARVE TO DEATH IN A YEAR. THERE IS SUCH A THING AS RESPONSIBLE USE OF PESTICIDES.

Some choose not to use them, but please don't get on your high horse and tell those that do that we are wrong!

Sorry, gotta get off the pulpit now.

Dave

I/m getting more confused every time i log on and read about nematodes and how to get rid of them.

So far, i have been lucky,no'todes',but, i want to know what do go just in case i should get them.

Merit?
Zerotol?
Bayer Granules?
Boil,bleach,vinegar?

I understand they are very hard to get rid of,so,Dave,you said they are very easily cured.

What is it that you do?I'm not being sarcastic,i really want to know,i am asking kindly. :0)

Carol

Alexa,
I forgot too ask why you poured the pesticide around your rose bush?
Bayer 3-in-1 isn't intended or labeled for use as a soil drench. It is supposed to be sprayed on the foilage.
Dave

Hey Dave,thanks for the advise!! If i had a horse I wouldnt have the room for it live in my back yard. LOL
and if i did own a horse it would probably be made of cement as a sculpture to go along with the rest of my yard art. LOL

I have been contemplating spraying some of my lancifolia (those green things that are blooming now) with the ortho systemic, just thought that it might work on the nems, and was wondering why nobody else had tried it!! I use it on my annuals cause nothing else works better on the bugs that fall out of my neighbors diseased oak that hangs over my yard!!! I just found a hosta with spider mights!!! I look at the leaves that fall out of their (neighbors) tree all the time, in the spring they were covered in aphids!!! and now it is spider mites!!! how else do you get rid of all of this!!

I will just have to give it a try!!

thanks

Paul

Carol,
I use Orthenex. Dave 1, nematodes dead!!!
Dave

Dave, In the past 3 years I've spent hundreds of dollars and countless hours fighting these nematodes.
I'm with Carol, please tell us your easy cure.
I NEED an easy cure. Please share your secret.
We're listening.
~SASSY~

Dave,I guess I was typing when you were answering Carol's question.

Orthenex?
What is it?
Where do you get it?
How do you use it?
How long have you been using it?
Thanks,
~SASSY~

My Bayer 3/1 is a systemic granule for sucking insects. I wonder if we're all talking about the same thing.
Pam

Pam,
There are two different types of products. The granular product has a different active ingredient than the liquid sprays. The Bayer web site lists a 2-in-1 granular, is that what you have?
Dave

Dave--

Sassy and Carol want to know.

Orthenex,,what,where,how,and how long have you been using it?

Thanks,Carol

S and C,
Othenex is a systemic insecticide/fungicide. I get mine at any of the usual places. Most garden centers carry it, as well as the big boxes. How? I follow label directions for mixing concentrate and spray hostas four or five times a year. First time is at leaf unfurl, then at three to five week intervals, making sure it runs down the petioles to the crowns, but not excessive. If you have plants that are infested, I would spray them once or twice before dormancy.

I have been using Orthenex on roses for 20+ years. On hostas for two years.

Dave

Thank you Dave.
I will see about getting this product.
Finally,some one who has used a product and knows it workes.
Carol

Thanks for the info, Dave.

Admire Pro is a systemic made by Bayer that contains imidacloprid...the same active ingredient as the 3-in-1. Admire Pro is labeled for certain nematodes...not foliar, but this makes me believe it would have some effect on foliar nematodes. Everyone has to decide for themselves if they want to use harsh chemicals.

Orthenex contains a fungicide and 2 different insecticides - Fenbutatin-oxide and acephate. Fenbutatin-oxide is a contact killer, so would not be of much help with foliar nems. Acephate is systemic, so it would affect the nems. It is an organophosphate-type insecticide...the same class as dysiston/disulfoton.

I think we need to be very careful about using the words control and cure. There are lots of things we can do and use to control nematodes. A control reduces the population, reduces or eliminates the symptomatic brown stripes, and maybe slows the spreading.

Curing a plant is a completely different story. There is nothing currently proven to cure nematodes. I think it is a mistake to assume a plant is cured and 100% nematode free, just because it doesn't show symptoms.

Sorry Dave - my mistake, it wasn't 3 in One, it was Bayer All-in-One that i had used. This was 3 or 4 years ago and I had the name wrong.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bayer All in One

Josh,

You have some good information going on, but then you editorialize by calling chemicals "harsh". Pesticides kill things. OK, I guess that makes them harsh. I'll go along with that part.

But then you say "I think we need to be very careful about using the words control and cure." That is a good, well-phrased statement. It just doesn't apply here.

I controlled the nematodes in my hosta by KILLING ALL OF THEM. I reduced the population to ZERO. This cannot be disputed. They are all dead. There is no scientific data that can invalidate this statement. You can come check my plants if you want. There are no nematodes. I also prevent reinfestation (from the environment) by a spraying regimen.

"Curing a plant is a completely different story. There is nothing currently proven to cure nematodes." I am not trying to cure nematodes. I don't know, and don't care, if they are sick. You cure symptons, you kill the pathogen.

Also, what can you cite for your statement that "There is nothing currently proven to cure(kill) nematodes." Years of dogma does not make something true. On this forum we have all been told nematodes are the end of the world unless "harsh" chemicals are used. I believe dysiston is the one most talked about.

"I think it is a mistake to assume a plant is cured and 100% nematode free, just because it doesn't show symptoms."
That is a valid statement. Pests and disease organisms are often present in non-symptomatic numbers, but as I have indicated, there are no nematodes in my plants.

Respectfully submitted,
Dave

I didn't choose the most appropriate wording, but you obviously knew what I meant and I'm sure everyone else did, as well.

You insist you have reduced your nematode population to zero and "there is no scientific data that can invalidate this statement." Do you have scientific data to prove it? You agreed that lack of symptoms doesn't necessarily prove anything, so what are you basing your conclusion on?

If you have a regular spraying regimen, you don't think it could just be keeping the population low enough to prevent symptoms from appearing?

I really do want to be proven wrong on this, but so far the only thing you've proven is that a spraying regimen using Orthenex can eliminate visual symptoms of nematode infestation. I would think several years of observation - with no spraying - would be needed to prove your claim.

Can repeated treatment eventually eliminate 100% of nematodes? Maybe, but again, we need to prove it.

And just so we're all on the same page, I take no offense to your post, Dave, and hope you aren't offended by mine!

Alexa,
THAT makes a big difference. The All-in-One killing the worms that fast would certainly make me consider not using that particular product.

Josh,
I have been continuously testing leaves for the presence of 'todes, and in several instances have removed every leaf for testing. I have not seen a single nematode. Science can be defined as the careful observation of the environment. I have been very carefully observing. That is my scientific evidence. (I have extensive training in this area) Now, I have not done any kind of assay to determine nematode protein presence. That would be very useful, but I can't do that in my kitchen. I have to rely on careful observation.

I keep spraying because I believe there is evidence that foliar nematodes are present in the environment, and several other landscape plants are listed as hosts. I don't have the time or inclination to worry about which other annuals or perennials might have hitch-hikers, so my contention is that my spraying prevents re-infestation, not keeping the population to sub-symptomatic levels.

It seemed you were suggesting that if you can't be sure of the outcome, there is not point is doing anything. I have a natural disposition against inaction caused by uncertainty of outcome.

Anyway, it's all good. And nematodes are not the end of the world.

Dave

Dave, I do agree that nematodes aren't the end of the world. They are part of gardening...like it or not...just like slugs, cutworms, and all the other pests we have to deal with.

I think some treatments are more worthwhile than others, but wouldn't suggest doing nothing just because the results aren't certain. I'm optimistic that we will have a good solution for the nematode plague sooner than later. I still stand by my original stance, but look forward to hearing the results others have with Orthenex.

Dave,
I think I've tried everything else so now it's time to try Orthenex.
Went to the local hardware store today to buy some but they were out of it.
I learned that it runs about $18.00 pt.
I have a 15 gal sprayer...how much Orthenex will it take to fill up my sprayer?
Sorry all you green people out there, but I'm declaring chemical warfare on the nems.

I have to agree that minimal chemicals are better than NO Chemicals. History shows the results of before and after chemical use. Yes, they have been misused, but to say they are NEVER helpful is snubbing history. Thanks for the nematode hope Dave!! Not sure if that is what I have, but the damage I see sure makes me wonder. Here in MN I thought I was immune.

Sassy,
15 gallons is a HUGE sprayer. Is it on wheels? The concentrate mixing rate (on the label) is 1 ounce(2Tbs)/gallon. I would not mix 15 gallons at a time. Two gallons is enough for me to spray 20 roses, 70 hostas and a couple other things. I also might spray a little more than needed because I don't like keeping mixed product in my sprayer.

You can get a better price at Walmart or Lowes/Home Depot/Menards. I think I paid $14.99 the last time I got some. A lot of places have sale prices on stuff this time of year.

Dave

Yes, Dave, my sprayer is on wheels. It was my birthday present last year from my sweet hubby. It's great!
I'll try to get to Walmart Monday. I hope they still have some. Thanks

Wow Sassy, you go girl! I guess you really mean business!

Dave, I'm going to go out and get Orthenex too. Do you recommend starting with the systemic this late in the season, or should we start in the Spring? I was just thinking that to fertilize this late in the season might not be a good idea.

Thanks,

Donna/PIM

I found Orthonex at my local True Value store today. It comes in a small green bottle. None of the big box stores in my area carried it (Menards, Walmart, Home Depot, etc), so it was $16.99. I have one hosta with nems so I am trying it on that one. I think I will spray it one more time before hard frost.

I'm going to give it a shot too and bought some Orthenex today at Home Depot. Late July I purchased six hosta - all showed signs of Nems in the last three weeks. Fortunately never put them in the ground before I realized it. I already replaced two. I heat treated three (one survived and has grown some new leaves, the others look hopeless, however we'll see in the spring. I will try Orthenex on the last plant - perhaps a couple of applications before the foliage goes down...

I also purchased Neptune Harvest Crab Shells which were discussed on another thread and I am adding them as I plant new hosta in my garden. They are supposed to attract a beneficial bacteria that "may" attack Nematode eggs. I figure this is a good precautionary measure. When I bought the bucket, I asked the clerk if there was any filler mixed in. He had no idea. Well I opened the bucket this morning, it is solid crab shells ... smells like it too.

Donna,
There is no fertilizer in Orthenex, just fungicided and pesticides, so yes, I would use now, following label instructions on how to mix and when to spray.
Dave

Thanks Dave, will do!

I just spent 1/2 of my precious day off running to 6 different stores looking for some Orthenex....no luck.
I tried Walmart, Home Depo, TSC, 2 True Values and a large nursery/garden center. NOTHING.
I came back home, got online and ordered 6 of them from Yardlove.com
I paid $16.29 each (pint) plus $12.39 for shipping.
They'll send them out within 24 hours.
What a waste of a beautiful fall day.
So, in about 3 days I'll be declaring war on the nems. Sure hope it works.

For those of you that use a well for gardening and drinking be VERY careful cause this is one harsh chemical from what I've found. Also it's been studied and Foliar Nematodes and eggs were found in the surrounding soil over winter. So just spraying the plant isn't getting them all.

Opps...I made a couple of typos in my previous post.
The website isn't Yardlover.com, it's yardlover.com. (see below).
Also, I ordered 5 pints, not 6.
I'll give this Orthenex a try.
I also want to try the Merit Granules again next spring.
I do see a real difference in the nem population this year.
Was it the Zerotol that I used last year or the Merit that I used in June? Who knows.
I just wish that I would of learned about the Merit Granules earlier.
June was too late to make a huge difference.
Gotta say one thing for me....I'm determined. LOL

Here is a link that might be useful: yardlover

Hi all,
Like sassy,i too, have spent way to much time trying to find 'Orthenex' & 'Milorganite',i am going to order from the same place you did sassy.
I was watching a couple of my hosta this past week,and sure enough,"nems"!
I was able to find the soap from G.N.C.,BUT THEN FORGOT THE MOUTH WASH--GURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Is nothing simple any more,is my age showing, please tell me it is the not later,ha ha

Oh, i was wondering if it would be possiable if we could have a post of just the few things we have all talked about here so we do not have to keep going back and trying to find who said what.With no comments,just info.something easy to print out or bookmark?

Like:Miloraganite-fertilizer.
Orthenex-nematodes
Dr Bronners Perrermint Soap-found at G.N.C.and how to use it?

Is that possiable?

Thank you for all your help,now,gotta order some Ortho- oh yea, maybe mention if it is organic,or chemical,or a green product?
Does this interest any one other than me?
Carol

Until Carol mentioned the soap in the thread above, I had completely forgotten all about trying that "fix" too.
I sprayed it maybe a couple of times last year.
I remember thinking that I paid a lot of money for a pint of soap from the GNC store.
I have no idea if it helped my plants, but it sure did make them smell pretty. LOL
For those of you that plan to use the soap/mouthwash spray, I found a lot cheaper place to buy the Dr Bronner's liquid soap.
The place is vitacost.com
No matter how large the order is the shipping cost is only $4.99.
And of course no sales tax for 49 states.
16 oz = $4.79
32 oz = $8.34
Gal = $32.39

See the link below.
Just type Dr Bronner in the search box.

Here is a link that might be useful: vitacost.com

If you search for "nematodes and my organic soap concotion" you'll find the recipe. I posted that thread last year. I came up with the organic soap recipe, thought the chain fatty acids might do a number on the worms.

I was dilligent in spraying the mixture on the plants last season. Didn't have the time with everything going on this year. Results from last year's applications are not 100%, but I have to say it has to be about 90% better (at this time of the year). I have an entire bed that is not exhibiting any signs of nems. You can take it for what its worth, that's just my experience. I'll probably try it again next season. After reading Jamie's caution, I probably won't get the Orthenex, I have a well, and don't want to chance contaminating the water table.

PIM

PIM's recipe and thread are linked below....

Here is a link that might be useful: PIM's insecticidal soap concoction