FIRE ANTS — THE HOLY GRAIL OF TREATMENTS PART 2
…Unexpected — and Wonderful — Consequences
Marlis had struggled for years with fire ants. How could she control these aggressive, persistent, painfully-biting ants without using toxic chemicals in the garden and yard, where her children and pets roamed and played? Acting on a recommendation from a friend, she discovered the natural, highly effective way to eliminate fire ants from her garden. The Beneficial Nematodes in Fire Ant Control by Organic Control did their deadly job on the pests, wiping out colonies of fire ants without endangering her family, pets, or even the other beneficial insects in and around the soil.
Won’t beneficial nematodes infect humans and pets, too?
No. Highly selective in the type of hosts they seek, beneficial nematodes are valuable allies in pest control. They attack insect pests while leaving humans and non-target species unharmed. They don’t even harm earthworms!
And, in addition, Marlis discovered another remarkable and completely unexpected benefit. She was astounded by the resulting condition of the soil where the nematodes had been applied. While her experimental “control group” of chemically poisoned mounds had remained hard and dry, the soil where she had applied nematodes was now soft, “like coffee grounds”.
Marlis was delighted by the rich, fertile soil that now easily crumbled beneath her fingers. Could the Beneficial Nematodes have brought about this amazing added bonus?
Let’s return to the edible garden where Marlis was ready to dig into the soil, now free from the risk of painful bites from an onslaught of fire ants. The evidence was startling. Marlis and her husband Buck left town for a few days after applying the Beneficial Nematodes. They returned to find more than the raised beds devoid of ANY fire ants. Marlis also found lush, rich, soft soil – in spite of the Texas heat. And, to top it off, she discovered a shocking burst of re-growth in her formerly decimated cabbage and arugula!
She was astonished: ”This is super weird, but the COMPLETELY DEAD, red cabbage, had started growing again! Seriously! Could this be all due to the nematodes? Seriously!? I am not sure what else could explain this!” The fully decimated arugula was now pouring over the side of the raised bed, and the maggots that had been living and feeding there were now entirely gone.
Beneficial Nematodes are the most effective natural predators to white grubs and any number of beetle larvae that decimate the roots of grass and other plants. These creepy, plump, C-shaped larvae are appealing food for scavenging creatures such as possums or raccoons. They scratch, claw, dig up, and destroy plants just to reach them. The elimination of these and other harmful pests in the soil has also resulted in the nocturnal marauders moving on from Marlis’ yard to neighboring gardens in search of food.
But Wait…Flea Control TOO?
As if all of these results weren’t amazing enough, Marlis discovered a final crowning benefit from the Beneficial Nematodes – FLEA CONTROL! Not only do Beneficial Nematodes help protect Marlis’ dog from stinging fire ants, but they also kill outdoor flea larvae.
Even with careful and consistent use of flea-control directly on pets, outdoor flea colonies are the major cause of reinfestation for dogs and cats who have been treated for fleas. Breaking the cycle of flea populations, both on pets and outdoors where they roam, is just one more way Beneficial Nematodes provide natural pest control.
The Beneficial Nematodes provided this extra service in Marlis’ yard, putting an end to the continuous, frustrating cycle of flea treatment, temporary elimination, and inevitable re-infestation. Not only that, but the resulting lack of marauding critters also reduces the importation of fleas that hitch a ride on those opossums and raccoons that used to move through the yard and gardens searching for grubs!
Marlis still carefully watches over her lovely garden to protect it from the rains and heat of Texas. She says, “Those fire ants always show up right after a rain. We got some good rain yesterday and today, so I’m going to get out and do another dose of nematodes and see them go to work.”
Marlis has begun sharing her secret with her neighbors — Beneficial Nematodes are starting to protect and beautify her whole community!
