Q.
Hi, can nematodes help to control slugs and snails in the vege patch? Are there any drawbacks? Do you supply them? Thanks
Michael Ibbotson
A.
Hi Michael, as yet there is no nematode biological control for slugs and snails available in New Zealand, research is being done in the UK and Europe, but not available here yet. New Zealand has very stringent controls when it comes to introducing 'new organisms' under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HASNO). It would need to be proved that the nematodes already existed in New Zealand prior to 1996, which is likely, but further research needs to be done on how the nematode affects the environment and commercial crops, this can take years. As an alternative, encourage tiger slugs and hedgehogs to your garden, they are natural predators of slugs and snails. The Tui Team.
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Can nematodes help to control slugs and snails in the vege patch? Comments
Hi Tui, can nematodes help to control slugs and snails in the vege patch? Thanks.
Can nematodes help control slugs and snails in the vegetable patch?
Hi Andrew, as yet there is no nematode biological control for slugs and snails available in New Zealand, research is being done in Europe, but not available here yet. New Zealand has very stringent controls when it comes to introducing 'new organisms' under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HASNO). It would need to be proved that the nematodes already existed in in New Zealand prior to 1996, which is likely, but further research needs to be done on how the nematode affects the environment and commercial crops, this can take years. As an alternative, encourage tiger slugs and hedgehogs to your garden, they are natural predators of slugs and snails. The Tui Team.