Beneficial Nematodes are microscopic organisms that feed upon the "bad guys" like grubs and fire ants.
If you are looking for a grub control solution, going organic is the answer. Nematodes will take care of grub
problems, but allowing Soils Alive to organically feed your lawn will ensure such issues are addressed before
they have a chance to start. Root weevil, European crane fly, grubs, ants, fleas, cut worm, over 250 soil
dwelling pests that are so difficult to control using other methods are just a tasty mid afternoon snack for
Beneficial Nematodes.

Any pest that spends any part of it's life cycle in the soil falls prey, most before they enter their adult stage.
Beneficial Nematodes are microscopic and live below the soil surface and like a moist environment. Looking
like short non-segmented worms these voracious predators make their way through your lawn and garden
looking for food. Nematodes do not harm worms, birds, plants or the environment, in fact they are part of the
environment and are found the world over. When the nematode comes in contact with a pest the attack by
entering through body openings or simply by boring through the body wall, once inside the Nematode will
release a bacteria that kills it's host within 48 hours. They will feed and reproduce before exiting in search of
fresh prey.
Praying Mantis  The front legs are used for grasping its prey - most commonly moths, flies and
mosquitos, but they have also been known to eat beetles, spiders, and grasshoppers.

The actual correct name of a Praying Mantis is Praying Mantid, and the scientific name is Tenodera aridifolia
sinensis. In the US, the mantid is generally from 3-4 inches in length depending on the gender, but some of
the 1800 or so types of praying mantid can be up to 12 inches long. Most scientists agree that praying
mantids are closely related to the grasshopper, cockroach and other stick-type insects. A praying mantid
starts life in an egg case, each egg case contains from 100 to 400 eggs. These eggs winter in a hard case
known as a ootheca and the mantid nymphs hatch in the spring, with their first meal often being one of their
syblings. As the mantid grows it will shed, a process known as molting, many times before it is fully grown.

As the mantid grows it eats leafhoppers, aphids, mosquitoes and then moves onto larger insects such as
beetles, spiders, moths and grasshoppers. One generation of matids mature over an entire summer to
adulthood. In the fall, female mantids will lay their eggs on sticks and undersides of leaves and die
approximately 3 weeks later.
Countryside Nursery & Landscaping
Central Texas' Native Tree & Garden Specialist
Garden ladybugs for controlling aphids and other slow moving pests are the most popular and widely
used beneficial insect.A single ladybug is capable of consuming up to 50 to 60 aphids per day but will also
eat a variety of other insects and larvae including
scales, mealy bugs, leaf hoppers, mites, and various types
of soft-bodied insects. Ladybugs (Ladybird beetles) feed on aphids, chinch bugs, whiteflies, and mites,
as
well as many other soft-bodied insects and their eggs. There are more than a hundred ladybug or "lady
beetle" species. These insects are normally purchased as adults and released into the garden. Each adult
may consume as many as 5,000 aphids during their adult life. When mature, each female will begin to lay as
many as 3-4 dozen eggs each day.

You must release the lady bugs close to sunset, which gives them a chance to settle down overnight or they
will fly away. They will also seek other areas when pest levels are too low; ladybird beetles require a certain
amount of food in order to reproduce. If they cannot find enough food in your garden, they will try to find it
elsewhere.

Life-Cycle  the female ladybug will deposit her eggs in small yellow clusters under a plant leaf or on the stem.
The amount of eggs laid depends on the pest population. In most cases, eggs are laid on or near plants
infested with large numbers of aphids. Within 7-days the tiny eggs hatch into alligator shaped larvae, which
quickly begin feeding on many soft-bodied pests, mites, and insect eggs. Within a month the larvae will
pupate and one week later young adults will emerge, ready to feed.
Plants which attract and provide homes for beneficial insects include

    * Alyssum
    * Butterfly weed
    * Caraway
    * Clover
    * Coriander
    * Dill
    * Fennel
    * Marigolds
    * Nasturtiums
    * Wild carrot
    * Yarrow
Beneficial Insects Sold at Countryside Nursery
Beneficial Insects

Compost
Build up your soil

Repellents / Insect Controls
Keep animals and insects out of
your garden

Liquid Fertilizers
compliments and works with the
dry fertilizers

Dry Fertilizer
Feed the soil for gardens, flower
beds and lawns.

Fungicides
Earth-friendly ways to deal with
fungus on your plants.

Weed Prevention

Mulches
Important in retaining water in the
soil and help to the growth of
weeds low.

Potting Soils

Soil Amendments
Improve the quality of your soil.