Sc Nematodes
Lawn pests are common. Sc waits for them, so you don't have to.
The ambusher: Sc waits in moist thatch at the soil surface for fleas, cutworms and webworms to walk past.
- Ships live, when readyUsually within 7 days, rarely 10. Mon–Thu, 2-day or overnight.
- Live arrival coveredReport concerns within 72 hours
- Free shippingWhen bugs and plant care come to $30
Handmade by Linda, for the plants you're protecting
2 inch · $20Buying for a group or a business? · Wholesale
01 · The problem
Are Sc nematodes right for your lawn pests?
Signs it's surface pests
- Ragged, chewed patches in the lawn, or seedlings cut off at the soil line.
- Fleas back on the dog after every walk in the yard.
- Caterpillars curled in the thatch or just under the soil when you dig.
Seeing these? Good catch. The sooner you start, the smaller the job.
Illustration · not to scale
Illustration · not to scale- You receive
- Millions of live nematodes on a moist carrier, mixed into water at home
- Main target
- Flea larvae in the yard, cutworms, sod webworms, armyworms
- Best conditions
- 60–85°F, works best above 55°F, in moist thatch
- Not for
- Lawn grubs (Hb), fungus gnats in pots (Sf), anything on the leaves
Works on
- Flea larvae and pupae in the yard
- Cutworms and armyworms
- Sod webworms
- Billbugs and crane fly larvae
Not the answer for
- Beetle grubs sitting deep in the root zone
- Fungus gnats in potting soil
- Anything on the foliage
02 · Meet the beneficial
Steinernema carpocapsae
Illustration · not to scaleA worm that jumps. Yes, really.
Sc, a microscopic worm, bends itself into a loop and springs off. It can jump about 4.8 mm, nearly nine times its own length.
Faster than it looks
Its jump hits 1.9 meters per second. A puff of carbon dioxide, like the breath of a passing insect, is what sets it off.
Tan, not red
An insect taken over by Sc turns tan or brown, a color made by the bacteria the worm carries. Insects taken by Hb, a different worm, turn red.
Every generation needs a pair
Each new generation of Sc needs a male and a female to meet inside the insect. Hb, a different worm, can start a family from just one.
03 · How it works
Microscopic hunters in the soil
Illustration · not to scaleMix and water in
Stir them into water and apply with a watering can or sprayer.
Illustration · not to scaleThey find the larvae
Nematodes move through moist soil to reach the pests.
Illustration · not to scaleMoist soil keeps them going
Follow the watering steps below after you apply.
Illustration · not to scaleRepeat on schedule
A follow-up application catches the next wave.
Nematodes are a watering, not a release: you won't see them, so you judge them by the damage stopping.
Sc nematode temperature and storage
Illustration · not to scale60–85°FWorks best above 55°F. Wait until the soil has warmed in spring.
Illustration · not to scaleFridge, about 4 weeksKeep the pack at 38–42°F until you mix, never the freezer. Don't store the mixed suspension.
Illustration · not to scaleMoist thatchThey stand up in the moist top inch or two to ambush. A surface that dries in an afternoon ends the job.
Illustration · not to scaleSpray waitsNeem and horticultural oil: once dry. Insecticidal soap: one day. Sulfur: 21 days.
04 · Not your conditions?
Choose one of these instead
Not quite your situation? No problem. If your space or your pest is different, one of these fits better.
It's grubsHb NematodesGrubs sit still deep down; Hb goes and finds them
View →
Fungus gnats in potsSf NematodesSf is the gnat hunter, sold by the plant
View →
Several soil pests, or not sureTriple Blend Nematodes for Broad-Spectrum Soil Pest ControlThree species cover every soil depth in one watering
View →05 · The plan
How to apply Sc nematodes
No experience needed. Here's all it takes.
Illustration · not to scaleMow and water lightly
Mow to open up the thatch, then water lightly so it's moist when they land.
Illustration · not to scaleLooks like almost nothing
That small, clumpy pack holds millions of nematodes, far too small to see. Mixed into water it just looks cloudy. Judge them by the pests.
Illustration · not to scaleMix in dechlorinated water
Stir the carrier into dechlorinated water. Mix only what you'll use within a few hours.
Illustration · not to scaleSpray, filter out
Hose-end sprayer or watering can, any filter of 50 mesh or finer removed. Shake as you go; they settle.
Illustration · not to scaleHit the hot spots
Shade, under porches, dog runs: wherever fleas and caterpillars travel. Apply out of direct sun.
Illustration · not to scaleWater them in
Water again to wash them into the thatch. Keep it moist two weeks. Active problems: repeat every 7–14 days.
06 · What happens next
What to expect
Living things work at their own pace. Here's what normal looks like.
Illustration · not to scaleFast, out of sight
Hosts die within a day or two of meeting them. You won't witness it, and you don't need to.
Damage stops showing
Caterpillar and webworm damage stops appearing on new growth, and the lawn fills back in.
A broken flea cycle
Larvae and pupae in the yard are the next fleas on your dog. Sc works that stage, so fewer come back in.
Safe to walk on
Kids and pets can be on the lawn as soon as you've watered them in. Harmless to earthworms and bees.
07 · Reviews
What growers say
Nicely done on the packaging & branding of nematodes!
We were able to see the little rascals straight away with a tiny Carson microscope.
The summer heat backed off just in time to take Hurricane Iasias on the head. We lost almost all shade. I have watered them all in . Sprinkling daily.
I sure hope they gobble up the fleas for Mateo’s sake. He is fair too kind to be miserable. I’ve done everything else. So Let’s Go Nematodes!
Hi Rachel, thank you for the lovely review! But..I must admit that I'm here for the dog pic. Is that a Great Pyrenees? My livestock guard dog is a GP! If you ever need anything, give a fellow GP owner a shout. :) Thank you again! I'm so glad you could see them as well; that can be difficult. :)
Worked amazingly! Got 80million and applied it to 5,000sf of lawn. Within days we noticed a difference and it just keeps improving. So happy this worked as we have kids and pets and this natural product is much appreciated.
Before you order
All your questions, answered
Something else? Toby's in the chat, bottom right, and happy to help.
When does it ship, and how does it arrive?
Millions of live nematodes on a moist carrier. Nothing looks alive, and nothing should. Into the fridge when it lands. Bugs and plant care ship free from $30; $15 under that. Pots and grow lights ship by ground, free from $75.
What if something's wrong when it arrives?
Our Live Delivery Guarantee covers it. Email info@fgmnnursery.com with your order number: within 72 hours of delivery for insects and springtails, or within 7 days for mites and nematodes. Full terms are on the Live Delivery Guarantee page.
Will this kill the adult fleas on my dog?
No. Nematodes live in the soil, not on your pet. They take the flea larvae and pupae in the yard, which breaks the cycle. Treat the dog for adults as usual.
Can I use them on indoor carpet?
We advise against it. Carpet would have to stay damp for days, which invites mold. Use nematodes outdoors to stop fleas coming in, and vacuum or steam indoors.
How do they get caterpillars?
When a cutworm or armyworm crawls over the soil, Sc latches on, enters and releases bacteria that finish it within about two days.
Can I use them on borers in trees?
Yes. For borers like iris or peach tree borers, squirt a concentrated mix into the holes with a syringe, then plug them with clay or wax to hold the moisture in.
Do they work on ticks?
Not reliably. Lab work has shown some effect, but there's very little evidence from real yards, so we don't sell any nematode as tick control. Sc earns its keep on fleas and caterpillars.
Ready when you are
Sc Nematodes
You've got this. And if you get stuck, we're one email away at info@fgmnnursery.com.