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The Plum Fruit Moth (Grapholita funebrana) lay larvae that are a common pest of Plums, Damsons and Greengages. The female moths lay their eggs near the Plum fruit and once the eggs hatch, the larvae will burrow into the fruit. The caterpillar is of pinkish-white colouring, roughly 10-12mm long, and will eat the Plums from within.
This can often mean that infestations, and damage, is not necessarily evident until Plums are cut into. When the caterpillars are fully fed they will exit the plum, leaving a small hole. Infected fruit often ripen prematurely, and caterpillars will leave excrement within the fruit after feeding on it.
Naturally and safely control your Plum Fruit Moth infestation with our Plum Fruit Killer nematodes, which are deadly to the Plum Fruit Moth larvae but safe to humans and wildlife.
Dragonfli Plum Fruit Moth Killer contains Steinernema species nematodes. These nematodes attack the Plum Fruit Moth larvae when they are situated on the tree trunk, or in the soil base of the tree. The nematodes enter the larvae via a natural opening, like the mouth, and feed on the contents of the larvae. A natural bacterium is produced by the nematodes inside the larvae, which kills it. Infected larvae will be completely broken down by the nematodes. The nematodes also reproduce inside the larvae, releasing more nematodes into the surrounding area.
The timing is critical in applying the Plum Fruit Moth Killer nematodes as they must reach the Plum Fruit Moth larvae at the stage in their life cycle when they are located on Plum tree trunks, lower branches, or in the soil bases of these trees.
We advise two applications of Plum Fruit Moth Killer Nematodes; one in early spring, around April, as the moths return from overwintering, and again in late summer, around September, before they begin to overwinter.
One pack of the 25million nematodes will treat up to 8 trees.
Choose a humid or wet day to apply your Plum Fruit Moth Killer Nematodes. Nematodes are UV-sensitive and will not survive long when exposed to bright, sunny conditions. Apply the nematodes early in the morning or early in the evening in order to utilise the optimum humidity levels. Avoid application in frosty conditions.
Soil temperatures should be above 10℃ for the nematodes to be active, if applying in the spring.
1. First open and empty the contents of your 25 million sachet of nematodes into a bucket or container of 2.5 litres of water and mix thoroughly.
2. Next, fill your sprayer (hand held sprayers should suffice, with filters removed, or use our Nema Super Sprayer for optimum nematode application) with the mixed 2.5 litres of nematode concentrate and add another 5.5 litres of water so you are left with 8 litres of nematode solution.
3. Finally, apply and spray the Plum Fruit Moth Killer solution to the lower branches, and trunk, of the tree (up to 1.5m from the base) and up to one square metre around the base of the tree in the soil.
Apply with thorough coverage of the lower tree trunk and drench the soil at the base of the tree, applying approximately 1 litre of solution per tree.
Repeat applications may be required for severe infestations.
Full application instructions are provided on delivery.
You can store unopened nematode packs in a fridge but it is best to ensure you apply your nematodes as soon as possible for the best results.
Plum Fruit Moth Killer Nematodes are harmless to humans, pets and wildlife, and safe to apply to edible plants.
It is also recommended that you first introduce our Plum Fruit Moth Traps to assist in controlling infestations. The traps will contribute to reducing the number of adult male moths and prevent moths from breeding. The traps also provide a visual indication of infestation levels.
