Attack of the Nematodes

On the weekend we discovered that we had an investation of beetle grubs eating the roots of our grass, leaving large dead patches. Turns out, there's an investation all over the west end of Peterborough. I talked to a neighbour of mine who works for the Ministry of Natural Resources who said that the problem is that parasitic nematodes used to keep the grubs in check, but our use of pestacides has all but wiped them out. Now that the city has banned the use of pesticides, the grubs are making a dramatic comeback, but the nematodes are not.

The solution, buy nematodes. Yup, you can buy them and apply them to the lawn with an applicator that attaches to the garden hose (similar to how you can apply some plant foods and fertilizers). The thing is, thanks to the investation in our end of the city, everyone is sold out of the things. I managed to pick up the last batch from a store 30 km north of the city and sprayed them on tonight.

Apparently, the things burrow into the grubs, and feed and multiply until the grubs explode. Isn't the insect world wonderful. :D