How to Kill Helminths in Soil

Helminths are small, often microscopic, parasitic worms. Also known as nematodes, those that live in the soil can be a scourge to home gardeners. Root nematodes are helminths that use a sharp mouthpiece called a stylet to puncture the root of a plant and suck out all of the plant's sap, water and other juices, killing the plant. Management of these parasites can be achieved naturally so as not to upset the ecological balance of a garden.

Organic compost, mulch
Spade
Coffee grounds, banana peels or eggshells
Sawdust

Instructions

- 1
  Apply organic fertilizers to the garden in the form of compost or mulch. The molds in these organic materials attack and kill nematodes.
- 2
  Work the compost into the garden soil before planting. Use rich compost that looks, smells and feels like black dirt. Homemade or commercially available bagged compost both work effectively.
- 3
  Work the compost into the soil around established plants. The beneficial fungi in the compost attach themselves to the nematodes and kill them on a cellular level.
- 4
  Mulch with material such as grass clippings and leaves, coffee grounds, banana peels, eggshells or sawdust. Adding the mulch and allowing it to break down around the plant encourages the growth of beneficial fungi while feeding and helping the plants retain moisture.
- 5
  Keep the soil intact by eliminating the use of chemicals. Using a vermicide against helminths will kill the nematodes but also the earthworms that work hard to keep soil rich and healthy.

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