Naturally occurring slug-killing nematodes. Organic slug pest control. Works well in wet conditions when the slugs are most active. Nematodes move through the soil to hunt and kill pest garden slugs. Safe to use around you garden or fruit and vegetable patch. No harmful effects on other wildlife, pets or children using your garden.

When is best to use?

Can be used year-round, when slugs are present and soil temperatures are above 5C. Typical use is in spring (April) and early autumn (September) during peak slug egg laying.

The problem:
Slugs are a devastating pest of gardens. Eating a wide variety of flowers, fruits and vegetables. Active at night and especially in wet conditions, they can destroy an area of plants in a very short period of time. They have the ability to remain hidden within the soil until they surface to attack plants. Slugs however live in our garden ecosystem, which they share with other wildlife, our pets and ourselves and families enjoying our garden. They are also an important food source for soe of that garden wildlife including, birds, hedgehogs, frogs and toads. Whilst the slugs may be a problem, it is important to look after other users of our gardens. .

The product:
Nemaslug has been developed and manufactured in the UK.
The product contains a naturally occurring nematode species Phasmarhabditis californica, a natural parasite of slugs. Applying Nemaslug to your garden or allotment simply temporarily boosts the natural population of these beneficial nematodes to control the slugs. A challenge with controlling slugs is that they are most active around periods of wet weather, which is when you need your slug control to work. Nemaslug works best in wet conditions, which is when the sligs are most active. The ability of the nematodes to move through the soil to hunt the slugs is also an advantage of slug killing nematodes over products which rely on attracting the slugs to a bait. In addition to the high level for control of slugs, especially those less than 8cm in length, is the safety of Nemaslug to wildlife and animals also in your garden. Wildlife coming into contact with Nemaslug in your garden, be it accidentally or as with frogs, birds and hedgehogs predating on slugs infected with nematodes, the product will not harm them..

How to use:

• Nemaslug 2.0 is simply mixed into water and applied to the soil around the plants you wish to protect. This can be done for example in a watering can or hose end sprayer, depending on the area being treated and what equipment is available.
• Nemaslug should be applied in enough water to wash the beneficial nematodes into the soil where the slugs are living, typically 1 litre per square meter.
• Once applied to the soil, the natural nematodes in Nemaslug will move through the soil to hunt and infect slugs. Once infected the slugs stop feeding and eventually die. The reduction in new slug feeding will be the first effect of having used Nemaslug after 1 to 3 days. Infected slugs then move into the soil where they will die up to 10 days after being infected, because infected slugs move into the soil to die you are unlikely to find infected slugs in your garden.
• After applying Nemaslug it is important to keep the soil nice and moist so that the nematodes do not dry out and they can still move through the moisture in the soil to hunt the slugs. With moist soil Nemaslug will continue to work for 4 to 6 weeks after application.

What are slug nematodes?

Nematodes are round worms found naturally in the soil. Different nematodes kill different insects, some nematodes kill slugs. The nematode in Nemaslug^® specifically kills slugs.

Is Nemaslug^® suitable for use in organic gardening?

Yes. Nemaslug^® 2.0 is approved for use in organic systems in the UK by the Soil Association.

How is Nemaslug^® sent to me?

If you order Nemaslug^® by itself, it’s sent by Royal Mail Frist Class service and will be delivered Monday to Saturday. Our packaging is designed to fit through a standard letter box so if you are not in, your postie will be able to deliver it to you. 

What pack sizes does Nemaslug^® come in?

Nemaslug^® is available in two sizes:

Small = 40 square meters. This can be used to treat an area for example 5 x 8 meters (5x8=40).

Large = 100 square meters. This can be used to treat an area for example 10 x 10 meters (10x10=100, or 5x20, or 2x50 etc.).

Applying a pack to an area smaller than the maximum area suggested will not risk harming your plants.

What is Phasmarhabditis californica?

Every species on Earth has a unique scientific name in latin. Phasmarhabditis californica is the latin name given to the beneficial nematode within the Nemaslug^® 2.0 product.   

Why use Nemaslug^® 2.0 to control slugs?

Nemaslug^® 2.0 gives effective natural control of pest slugs without harming wildlife, plants or pets using your garden.

Why is Nemaslug® kept in the fridge?

Nemaslug^®, as with all of our MightyBugs and MightyNem products, contains living organisms. They can only feed when they find a slug—until then they rely on their body fat for energy. Storing Nemaslug^® in a fridge keeps the nematodes inactive, preserving their energy and keeping them in the best condition until you want to use them.

Nemaslug^® can be stored in the fridge, so why do you advise “Fresh is best”?

Whilst Nemaslug^® (and all of our MightyNem nematodes) can be stored in a fridge for a few weeks, since they are living organisms using them fresh is always best.  It is therefore better to order them near to the time when you plan to use them. Andermatt aim to despatch same day with next day delivery to help our customers have the product when they need it.

What is the difference between Nemaslug^® and Nemaslug^® 2.0?

The two products are similar in their appearance, the way they are used, and their effectiveness against garden slugs. Where the products are different is the species of slug-killing nematode they contain. The original Nemaslug^® contained the nematode species Phasmarhabditis hermpahordita, whereas the newer Nemaslug^® 2.0 contains the nematode species Phasmarhabditis californica.

Why does Nemaslug^® 2.0 contain a different nematode species to Nemaslug^®?

Both products look similar, kill the same garden slug species and are equally effective. The nematode species was changed to improve the reliability of nematode production and therefore nematode supply.  

Will the nematodes escape into my fridge whilst I store them?

No. When using natural predators, fresh is best and so it is best to order the natural predators to arrive when you intend to use them. Nemaslug^® can however be stored in a fridge for a few days until use. Whilst in a cool fridge they will remain dormant waiting to be warmed up, so they will not escape from their pack into your fridge.

Is Nemaslug^® safe to wildlife in my garden?

Yes. Nemaslug^® is a very target-specific predator which will only infect slugs. It won’t affect other wildlife it comes into contact with. It’s also safe to slug-feeding animals such as bird, frogs and hedgehogs, should they eat a slug which has been infected with Nemaslug^®.

Is Nemaslug^® safe to pets in my garden

Yes. Nemaslug^® is safe to pets, should they be accidentally sprayed with Nemaslug^®, roll around in soil treated with it, or eat plants sprayed with Nemaslug^®.

Can I apply too much Nemaslug^®?

No. It is not possible to over apply Nemaslug^®.

Should Nemaslug^® be mixed with tap or rainwater?

Nemaslug^® can be applied with either tap or rainwater. Rather than the type of water used, the most important factor is how much water Nemaslug^® is applied in. Nemaslug^® should be applied in enough water to evenly treat the intended area and then wash the nematodes down into the soil.

How often do I have to apply Nemaslug^®?

This depends on how many slugs there are. Unfortunately, the battle against slugs is a constant and ongoing one. In wet, warm periods, or on sites with a slug history or very susceptible plants, applications as frequently as every 6 weeks may be needed. In hot dry periods a single application either in spring or autumn to knockdown the slug population may be enough.

Why doesn’t Nemaslug^® kill large slugs?

Nemaslug^® infects slugs through the breathing pore on the mantle of the slug. In larger slugs, this breathing pore is further from the ground and therefore more difficult for the nematodes to reach. Larger slugs also spend less time within the soil, and so have less time in contact with the nematodes.

Will I ever see a slug infected with Nemaslug^® 2.0?

In laboratory conditions, it’s possible to identify infected slugs due to a swelling of the mantle. However, this is unlikely to be seen in your garden. Once slugs are infected and become ill, they move down into the soil where they will not be found.

What is the difference between Nemaslug^® and Nemaslug^® 2.0?

Both products were produced by the same company, and both products do the same job of killing slugs. The two products contain different nematode species. The original Nemaslug^® contained Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita, the newer product Nemaslug^® 2.0 contains Phasmarhabditis californica. Both of these nematode species are naturally-occurring predators of slugs.