Hb Nematodes - FAQs
Where do Hb nematodes live?
Anywhere the soil stays consistently moist and reaches a few inches deep. Garden beds, lawns, and containers with root-feeding pests are all viable habitat for Hb specifically, since it ranges deeper than the other species.
Can I use Hb nematodes alongside neem oil or insecticidal soap?
Yes, but timing matters. Apply nematodes a few days apart from any foliar spray, since some residue can affect nematode survival in the soil. Nematodes themselves pose no risk to your other treatments.
How often do I need to apply Hb nematodes?
It depends on the pest. Grubs, beetle larvae, and most weevils and borers run one generation per season, so a single well-timed application usually covers the vulnerable window. Ants, termites, and fleas are different: because adults continuously reinvade and lay eggs on a rolling basis, those need reapplication roughly every month for ongoing control.
Are Hb nematodes safe to use around edible plants?
Yes. Hb nematodes are safe for use on edible crops with no waiting period before harvest, and they're safe around people and pets when used as directed.
Are beneficial nematodes eco-friendly, and safe around pets, kids, and pollinators?
Yes. Hb nematodes are a natural biological soil treatment with no synthetic chemicals involved. They're safe around people, pets, and kids when applied as directed, and because they work below the soil surface on soil-dwelling pest stages, they don't come into contact with pollinators the way a foliar spray would.
Will Hb nematodes harm earthworms or other beneficial soil organisms?
Hb nematodes target insect pests like grubs and beetle larvae and aren't known to harm earthworms, beneficial soil microbes, or other non-target organisms in your soil.
How long do beneficial nematodes live in the soil once applied?
As long as pest levels stay high enough to sustain reproduction, the population can persist in the ground; once hosts become scarce, numbers decline fairly quickly. That's why monthly or seasonal reapplication keeps control consistent rather than relying on one release to last all season.
How long until I see results?
Beneficial nematodes start working once they're in moist soil. It can take 5–7 days to see visible results through the reduction of pest populations.
Do Hb nematodes work in other types of growing medium than soil?
Yes. As long as the environment is adequate, beneficial nematodes are effective in coco coir and peat moss.
I've heard nematodes can damage plants. How do I get rid of nematodes if that's my problem instead?
That's a different category of nematode. Plant-parasitic species (like root-knot nematodes) feed on roots and can genuinely harm a garden, but they're biologically unrelated to the beneficial, insect-targeting nematodes. Beneficial nematodes don't feed on plant tissue at all. If you're dealing with root damage and suspect plant-parasitic nematodes, that's typically managed through crop rotation, resistant plant varieties, or a soil test to confirm what's actually present.
Where can I buy beneficial nematodes?
Right here at NaturesGoodGuys. Beneficial nematodes ship fresh to your door.
How do I know if a single species or combination is best?
Use these charts to narrow your search:
Beetle Larvae (Grubs)
| Pest | Species |
|---|---|
| Asparagus | Hb Sf Sc |
| Blister | Hb |
| Chafer | Hb+Sc |
| Colorado Potato | Hb Sf Sc |
| Cucumber | Hb Sf Sc |
| Flea | Hb+Sc |
| Japanese | Hb+Sc |
| May/June | Hb |
| Scarab | Hb |
| White Grub (General) | Hb Sf Sc |
Moth Larvae (Caterpillars)
| Pest | Species |
|---|---|
| Armyworm (General) | Hb Sf Sc |
| Bagworm (General) | Sc |
| Cabbage Looper | Sc |
| Codling | Hb Sf Sc |
| Cutworm (General) | Hb Sf Sc |
| Fall Armyworm | Hb+Sc |
| Garden Webworm | Hb Sf Sc |
| Hornworm (General) | Hb Sf Sc |
| Oriental Fruit Moth | Sc |
| Tent Caterpillar | Sc |
| Tomato Fruitworm | Hb+Sc |
| Webworm | Hb Sf Sc |
Borers (Tunneling Larvae)
| Pest | Species |
|---|---|
| Borers (General) | Hb Sf Sc |
| Corn | Hb+Sc |
| Grape Root | Hb+Sc |
| Lesser Cornstalk | Sf |
| Mint Root | Hb+Sf |
| Peach Tree | Hb+Sc |
| Raspberry Crown | Sf |
| Squash Vine | Hb+Sc |
Weevil Larvae (Grubs)
| Pest | Species |
|---|---|
| Berry Root | Hb+Sc |
| Billbug (General) | Hb Sf Sc |
| Black Vine | Hb+Sc |
| Bluegrass | Hb+Sc |
| Carrot | Sc |
| Citrus | Hb |
| Cranberry Root | Hb+Sc |
| Large Pine | Hb+Sc |
| Strawberry Root | Hb+Sc |
Fly Larvae & Maggots
| Pest | Species |
|---|---|
| Cabbage Maggot | Sf |
| Crane (Leather Jacket) | Hb Sf Sc |
| Fly Larvae (General) | Hb Sf Sc (monthly) |
| Fungus Gnat (Sciarid) | Sf (monthly) |
| Gall Midge | Sf |
| House & Filth | Hb Sf Sc (monthly) |
| Humpbacked (Phorid) | Sf (monthly) |
| Leafminer | Sf |
| Onion Maggot | Sf |
| Root Maggot | Sf |
| Shore Fly | Hb Sf Sc (monthly) |
Miscellaneous Larval Pests
| Pest | Species |
|---|---|
| Ant (Queen) | Hb Sf Sc (monthly) |
| Ant (Red Fire Ant) | Hb Sf Sc (monthly) |
| Chinch Bug Larvae | Sc |
| Flea Larvae & Pupae | Hb Sf Sc (monthly) |
| Termite | Hb+Sc |
| Thrips pupae | Sf |
| Ticks | Hb+Sf |