You will need to treat all of your plants that are planted in potting soil, not just the ones showing signs of infestation. Nematodes therefore offer an easy solution to force ants to move their nests and get rid of the source. Seedlings, young plants and unrooted cuttings lacking fully developed root systems are particularly vulnerable to larvae. A full list includes: Arisaema, Aster, Astilbe, Azalea, Begonia, Bergenia, Camellia, Cyclamen, Echinacea, Epimedium, Euonymus, Fuchsia, Heuchera, Hosta, Hydrangea, Busy Lizzie, Kalmia, Lily, Peony, Phlox, Primula, Polyanthus, Raspberry, Rhododendron, Saxifrages, Sedum, Strawberry, Syringa, Yew and Wisteria.

Beneficial Nematodes are supplied in a cellulose-based carrier and can be applied with any equipment traditionally used for spray applications. The nematode species is Steinernema feltiae, a parasitoid species that penetrates the larvae of fungus gnats, infecting them and subsequently killing them. Even chemicals that have shown an effect have only had a transient effect if placed in contact with for a short period of time.

The adult sciarid flies live on and around the compost surface of pots, more commonly indoors rather than outside.

They are completely compatible with beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and praying mantids and do not harm earthworms. Once soil is above 8°C, throughout the growing season April to October, whenever pests are visible and feeding. Preventive and corrective applications of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis products kills larvae before they can pupate. Remove the sponge from the kit and you will notice a light brown patch on it , those are the nematodes.

Maintain moist soil conditions for not less than two weeks after treatment (to ensure a favourable environment for the second generation). They multiply within the host and release a symbiotic bacterium which produces a toxin that kills the fungus gnat larvae. Easily applied, the microscopic nematodes actively seek out and kill fungus gnat larvae before they do damage, then breed within the dead larvae, and this new generation will emerge to continue the control process.