当您看到宠物越来越多地刮擦自己时，您就会知道发生了什么……
…the unsavory reality of a flea infestation
And once you confirm that your furry friend really does have the dreaded fleas, the real dilemma sets in:they’ll multiply quickly，遮住你的家。
After a bit of research, you’ve found that something called a “nematode” may do the trick and solve your flea problem.
But you’re probably asking yourself, “What the heck are nematodes and how can they help you?”
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s dig into how these little guys can save you a ton of pain and emotional grief.
Ed has been working in the pest control industry for years helping 1,000's of homeowners navigate the world of insect and rodent management. He manages Pest Strategies now helping homeowners around the world!
目录
Nematodes: What Are They?
You’ve probably never heard of them, or perhaps didn’t even know they existed.
These minuscule organisms are, actually, some of the best defenses on the market to combat the rapid spread of fleas around the yard at your home.
Nematode Characteristics
线虫（也称为round虫）是非常小的，非细分的蠕虫long, smooth bodies. And when we say incredibly small, we mean it:
These microscopic organisms can’t be seen by the naked eye, but they do can serious damage to insect larvae while leaving mammals completely unaffected and minimizing the use of chemicals around your house.
这就是使它们成为杀死院子跳蚤的理想解决方案的原因。
You can apply beneficial nematodes around your yard to help reduce the flea larvae population in hopes that it reduces the chance your pets pick up hitchhikers while they’re outside playing.
Naturally, they live in soils worldwide. Nematodes have a special gut bacteria which is fatal to all kinds of pests, but namely fleas. In a lucky turn of events, this gut bacteria isn’t harmful to humans or pets whatsoever.
Are Nematodes Parasites?
是的，否。
Not all nematodes are parasitic but the ones that help defeat fleas are in fact a type of insect parasite.
Nematodes take fleas as their host and live on the nutrients the flea provides. This means that by definition, these organisms do fall into the category of parasites.
While it may be strange to think that the best way to fight a parasite is with another parasite, consider this: fleas are almost microscopic themselves, so one of the most effective ways to kill them is with somethingeven smaller.
Are Nematodes Harmful?
当大多数人想到寄生虫时，他们会想到一个吸血的克里汀，这对宿主有害。
Usually, that’s the case, but this concept can be a double-edged sword: just because a parasite is harmful to its host doesn’t mean that it’s harmful to the world around it.
Nematodes are an example of a parasite that kills fleas, yet isn’t harmful at all to larger animals kept as pets, or humans. They attach onto the pests as hosts,离开您，您的宠物和您的家庭寄生虫.
A Note About Nematodes
Even though some nematodes are helpful for fleas, there are some species (such as root knot nematodes）对植物和营养生命极为有害。
什么是“有益的线虫”？
Whether you’re wondering what do nematodes eat or you’re asking yourself how to prevent fleas in the yard, we’ve got the answers to your questions here with two words: beneficial nematode or by their scientific names,SteinernemaFeltiae（SF），Steinernemacarpocapsae (Sc) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora (Hb).
We call those names out because the flea eating variety of nematode are a very specific kind of nematode.
线虫如何工作
When a batch of flea eating nematodes is released into an area, the individual roundworms get find their prey bytasting the soil and feeling for the warmth of other insects.
一旦找到，他们就可以通过发现的任何开口进入主机。进入室内后，他们开始通过释放致命的肠道细菌并不断繁殖来杀死宿主。在24小时内，您应该开始看到结果和人口减少。
为什么AreNematodes Successful
线虫成功有两个原因：
- They’re cheap to buy; and
- 在整个院子里易于广播。
大多数产品都带有预组装的喷涂附件，可让您快速，轻松地部署这些虫子。
Aside from fleas, they also attack other insect larva like…
- 切蠕虫
- gnat幼虫
- Japanese Beetle Larva
- Weevils
- web虫等
Are Nematodes Parasites?
Not all nematodes are parasitic but the ones that help defeat fleas are in fact a type of insect parasite.
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How to Apply Nematodes for Fleas
If you can’t see the nematodes, how can you set them out to do work in your yard?
This is a common question, and the answer is not as complicated as one might assume. Keep reading for the full description of what you need to do to set these guys in motion.
How to Treat Your Yard With Nematodes
Because nematodes thrive in soils, it’s best to keep treatment outdoors to remedy your flea problem, even if you have an indoor pet.
线虫会在外面发现更多的跳蚤，增强他们的身体，摆脱您可能没有意识到自己潜伏在外面的所有跳蚤。
Because nematodes die in harsh sunlight and in high temperatures, it’s best to黎明之前使用它们.
You have to mix the nematodes with water, and the correct ratio can be found on the packaging of your nematodes.
It’s incredibly important to mix just the right amount of water, as the solution depends on the amount of nematodes you purchase. After this step is complete, you’ll need a water can and/or a pump sprayer in order to propel the nematodes outward, across your lawn.
The Fleas Are Gone! What Happens Next?
Even if you’re on board with releasing invisible worms around your yard, you’re still probably wondering about what happens to the nematodes once the job is done?
Do they just hang out in your yard forever?
Are you essentially trading one parasite for another?
Here’s the best part about using this method to kill your fleas: once nematodes have no more hosts on which to feed, they die. Their microscopic bodies begin to biodegrade, and no trace of them is left behind.
Smart Storage of Nematodes
So, we’ve convinced you and you’ve decided to hop on the bandwagon and you’ve gotten some nematodes to kill off those fleas.
Where should you put them until you’ve decided to release them?
Pantry or Fridge?
The most important tip we can give is that because nematodes are live organisms, they should be stored foras little time as possible. The lifespan without a host on which to feed is very short, so try to use them as soon as possible.
In the event that you do need to store them for a day or two, pop them in the fridge, preferably covered in aluminum foil.
The foil will insulate them even more and act as a shield against the light that comes on every time someone opens the refrigerator door.
Nematodes can live up to 14 days in a refrigerator, but keep in mind that this countdown doesn’t begin the moment you’ve put them in your fridge at home.
These guys have been in transit to and from the original retailer, so it’s difficult to know how long they’ve already spent inside of a refrigerated truck and a cold case, waiting to be purchased.
如果他们死了怎么办？
In this digital day and age, ordering things online is becoming more commonplace than going to the store to physically buy things.
如果您在线订购线虫，请帮自己一个忙：确保卖方享有声誉。首先阅读评论，以了解其他客户已经成功地从这家零售商那里购买了线虫，并且他们以使其生存的方式运送产品的最佳实践。
If everything checks out and you place your order but闻一香气的气味coming from the package, organize a refund.
Nematodes don’t have a smell, but the decay smells rotten, so this is an excellent way to tell whether you’ve gotten a box full of dead, useless nematodes.
因为没有主机的寿命很短,很多retailers understand that the clock is ticking during shipping, and that accidents happen. When doing your product research, make sure to choose a retailer that is flexible in the event of the nematodes dying before they get to you.
The Bottom Line
One of the best natural ways to prevent fleas are nematodes.
They are regarded as your best bet. Not only are they a natural flea killer for your yard, but they also like to feast on other bad bugs that can ruin your day (gnats, etc).
After they’ve gotten the job done, they essentially disappear. These natural remedies for pesky fleas will restore your peace of mind while they keep your pet from discomfort and harm.
