Description
Entonem – Steinernema feltiae beneficial nematodes are a powerful biological control used to eliminate a wide range of damaging insect pests in soil and growing media.
These microscopic beneficial organisms actively hunt pests such as fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae, leaf miners and various caterpillars and weevils, infecting them and stopping the lifecycle before they can damage your crop.
Unlike chemical pesticides, Entonem works naturally and safely within your growing environment, making it ideal for hydroponics, coco, soil, greenhouses and protected crops.
One of the key advantages of Steinernema feltiae is that it remains effective at lower temperatures, allowing growers to maintain pest control even during cooler periods of the season.
How Beneficial Nematodes Work
The nematodes actively seek out insect larvae living in the growing media or on plant surfaces. Once inside the pest they release natural symbiotic bacteria which quickly multiply and break down the insect’s internal tissues.
This process kills the pest within a few hours to a few days. The nematodes then reproduce inside the host and release a new generation to continue controlling pests.
What Pests Entonem Controls
- Fungus gnat larvae (Sciarid flies)
- Shore fly larvae
- Leaf miners
- Thrips pupae and larvae
- Black vine weevil larvae
- Caterpillars including tomato leaf miner and armyworms
- Various soil dwelling insect pests
Product Specifications
| Developmental stage | Infective third-stage larvae (L3) |
| Composition | 86% Steinernema feltiae and 14% biodegradable carrier |
| Formulation | Highly soluble biodegradable formulation |
| Temperature activity | Active between 10–31°C and performs best between 14–26°C |
Application Methods
Entonem nematodes can be applied using a wide range of standard horticultural equipment including:
- Watering cans
- Backpack sprayers
- Vehicle mounted spray units
- Airblast sprayers
- Sprinkler or irrigation systems
For best results remove filters finer than 0.3 mm, use nozzle openings of at least 0.5 mm, and keep the spray tank gently agitated so the nematodes remain evenly distributed in the water.
Preparation
- Remove sachets from the box and allow them to reach room temperature for around 30 minutes
- Mix each sachet with at least 2 litres of water at 15–20°C
- Stir thoroughly and allow the mixture to soak for 5 minutes
- Stir again and pour into a half filled spray tank
- Maintain gentle agitation so nematodes do not settle
- Top up the tank with water and apply immediately
Dosage Guide
| Application Type | Typical Rate |
|---|---|
| Soil or growing media | 250,000 – 500,000 nematodes per m² |
| Foliar spraying | 1 – 3 million nematodes per litre |
The numbers above sound technical but the concept is simple. You are applying millions of microscopic pest hunters to your growing area.
- A 50 million pack can typically treat around 100–200 m² when targeting fungus gnat larvae in soil or growing media.
- For smaller indoor grows or tents this often covers multiple applications.
- When applied to the surface of pots or grow media the nematodes move through the root zone searching for larvae and infect them before they can develop into flying adults.
Think of them as a living pest control army that patrols the root zone and eliminates pests before they become a bigger problem.
Environmental Conditions
- Active between 10°C and 31°C
- Best performance between 14°C and 26°C
- Do not expose nematodes to direct sunlight or strong UV
- Keep soil or growing medium moist for several days after application
- Apply in the evening or early morning for best results
- For foliar use, humidity above 75% improves effectiveness
Video Guide
