Steinernema carpocapsae – Beneficial Nematodes for Cutworms, Armyworms & Soil Pests
Product details
| Management number | 250625523 | Release Date | 2026/09/17 | List Price | US$28.80 | Model Number | 250625523 | ||
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A soil drench that targets cutworms, armyworms, and surface caterpillars
Caterpillars that hide in the soil and strike at night are hard to catch with a foliar spray. Steinernema carpocapsae are naturally occurring soil-dwelling nematodes that ambush pests on and just below the soil surface, which makes them especially effective against cutworms, armyworms, and other larger caterpillars. They are safe for people, pets, pollinators, and other beneficial insects, and they kill each host within 48 to 72 hours.
Live insects ship on Tuesdays only and arrive Wednesday. Orders must be placed 7 days in advance. Anything ordered by 3pm EST Tuesday ships the following Tuesday by UPS overnight shipping.
- Sprays miss caterpillars hiding in the soil
- Night-feeding cutworms dodge daytime treatment
- Chemical residue to time around harvest
- Broad products harm beneficial insects
- Effect ends when you stop treating
- Reactive surface control only
- Ambushes pests on and just below the soil surface
- Nematodes keep hunting in the soil day and night
- Naturally occurring, no chemical residue
- Safe for pollinators and other beneficials
- Kills hosts in 48 to 72 hours and recycles
- Reaches the soil-dwelling stage at the source
Built for cutworms and armyworms Surface ambusher
Carpocapsae is an ambush hunter that stays near the surface, which makes it especially effective on cutworms, armyworms, and other larger caterpillars moving across the soil.
Kills in 48 to 72 hours
Once a nematode enters a host it releases symbiotic bacteria that kill the pest within two to three days, then reproduces inside it.
Recycles through new hosts
New nematodes emerge from spent pests to find fresh prey, so a single application keeps working as long as suitable hosts remain.
Safe across the board
These naturally occurring soil organisms are harmless to people, pets, pollinators, and other beneficial insects you may be running.
Wide range of settings
Carpocapsae works in turf, gardens, nurseries, orchards, greenhouses, and hydroponic systems, so it fits both indoor and outdoor pest problems.
Mix and drench
Stir the carrier into water and apply to the soil. There is no special equipment beyond a watering can or coarse sprayer.
Mix into cool, non-chlorinated water at the labeled rate.
Apply to the soil surface where surface caterpillars travel, and keep it moist.
Apply in low light (morning or evening) and pre-moisten dry soil first.
Reapply if pressure returns; avoid fine filters when spraying.
How carpocapsae clears surface caterpillars
Mix into water
Stir the nematode carrier into cool, non-chlorinated water at the labeled rate in a watering can or coarse sprayer.
Apply to the soil
Water the solution onto and around the soil surface where cutworms and armyworms travel, and keep the surface moist.
Nematodes ambush the pests
They wait near the surface and enter passing caterpillars, releasing bacteria that kill each host within 48 to 72 hours.
They recycle and persist
New nematodes emerge from spent hosts to hunt again. Reapply if pest pressure returns.
- Live Steinernema carpocapsae nematodes on a carrier
- Count matched to your chosen size
- Mixing and application instructions
- Insulated overnight packaging
- Pack sizes: matched to the area you need to treat
- Best for: cutworms, armyworms, and larger soil caterpillars
- Pairs well with: Steinernema feltiae for fungus gnats and thrips
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