BeneficialBillbugs
Entomopathogenic nematode for billbugs
Steinernema carpocapsae · nematode
Against billbugs
An ambusher that waits at the soil surface, so it suits billbug adults walking through the thatch and larvae near the surface. Purdue rates it more effective against adults and pairs it with the spring adult strategy. Grewal found it and H. bacteriophora equally effective, with larval treatments working better than adult ones. Results vary with soil moisture.
RateAbout 1 billion per acre (≈250k /m²)
TimingSpring, when adults are active at the surface (late April–May in Indiana), or early summer against larvae; water in at once
Temperature14–34 °C; best 19–31 °C
macro · entomopathogenic nematode on billbugs
The pestBillbugsSphenophorus spp.Larvae hollow grass stems and chew crowns; turf dies in patchesFull pest profile →Before you order
Sprayed or watered onto moist lawn and bed soil against pests that move on the surface: cutworms, armyworms, sod webworms, billbugs and flea larvae outdoors. How it works, how to tell it has established and the supplier list are on the full Steinernema carpocapsae profile.
Release calculator
How many do I need?
Area and infestation level in; quantity, cost and a weekly schedule out. Open the calculator →
Other controls for billbugs
- Heterorhabditis bacteriophoraNematode · About 1 billion per acre (≈250k /m²)
- Ground beetlesWild predator · wild, attract it
- Rove beetlesWild predator · wild, attract it