Millipede Control

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* For deliveries to the same address, so why not get your neighbours together and treat a larger area!

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Portuguese millipedes are pests throughout many areas of southern Australia.  They are not poisonous but can be offensive in large numbers. Originally from Portugal, they were introduced to Australia via Pt. Lincoln, without any of their natural enemies.

Nematodes are tiny parasitic ‘worms’. There are thousands of different types of nematodes – good and bad – and more than 20 years ago researchers in South Australia found the native nematode Rhabditis necromena attacks the introduced Portuguese Millipede. Rhabditis only attacks millipedes, and therefore will not affect other insects or plants.

     How do the nematodes work?

The nematode is commonly found in southern Australia, but usually in low numbers which results in limited control of millipedes. Bug Central breeds the nematodes in specially designed facilities, and releasing them in large numbers helps reduce millipede invasions.

Millipede populations are controlled naturally by nematodes, but under natural systems there can be a 10-15 year time lag between introduction of the millipedes and population decline due to nematodes.  By introducing large numbers of nematodes, this time lag can be reduced to as little as 1-2 years.

Nematodes are delivered in petri dishes that are placed in the area of millipede activity. Millipedes ingest the nematodes, and once the nematodes are inside, they bore their way out through the gut wall, killing the millipede. Nematodes reproduce in the dead millipedes, and then move back to the soil to start another infection cycle. This occurs best during autumn and early winter, even though this may not coincide with peak millipede invasions.

As this is a biological control, millipedes will never be eradicated but should be reduced to tolerable levels. Results over a number of years indicate that reduction has varied from a gentle decline through to a sudden crash in millipede numbers. However, this is not an effective control option if only small numbers of millipedes are present.

Each order consists of 40 petri dishes infected with the nematodes, and is suitable for a large garden/small rural property. Cost is $164.00 including GST and delivery to anywhere in Australia. Deliveries will begin in April. Once we receive your order, we will provide confirmation via email, and forward more information on millipede control.

Orders are sent via Star Track Express, so a physical daytime address is required. Australia Post can be used where courier deliveries cannot be made, but an extra fee may apply.

Releasing the Nematodes

Detailed instructions on releasing the nematodes, plus information on other strategies you can use to reduce millipede numbers, are included with each order. It is important to note that prior to delivery you will need to collect at least 600 live millipedes to infect with the nematodes.

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