Can biological control nematodes be harmful?
Because many people have heard of nematodes harming their plants or animals, they may be concerned about “putting” nematodes out in their landscape (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ng006). They need have no fear. These nematodes can only feed on their bacteria. They cannot feed on, live in, or harm humans, plants, or animals. The only danger could be if someone has an allergic reaction to the nematodes. Nematodes that feed on plants have a stylet (mouth-spear) that they use to puncture plant cells (Figure 7). Nematodes cannot feed on plants without a stylet. Biological control nematodes do not have a stylet, but rather have an open mouth for eating bacteria (Figure 8). Figure 7. The mouth of a nematode that feeds on plants has a stylet (spear) that they use to puncture plant cells. Figure 8. The mouth of a biological control nematode has no stylet, but is open for swallowing bacteria.
