NemaGen®: The Next Generation of Natural Pest Control for Turf and Beyond
Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO and Founder, Bionema Group, Swansea Wales
Greenkeepers, groundsmen, growers, and foresters increasingly seek natural solutions to safeguard turf and plants from harmful insect pests. One pioneering innovation in this area is NemaGen®, a cutting-edge biological product utilising beneficial native entomopathogenic nematodes isolated form different of the United Kingdom.
Developed by biocontrol specialists at Bionema Group, NemaGen® represents a new era of precision pest control across sports turf, golf courses, ornamental landscapes, horticulture, forestry, and agriculture.
What Is NemaGen®?
NemaGen® is a carefully formulated biological control product that harnesses the power of microscopic, soil-dwelling nematodes—tiny roundworms that seek out and destroy soil-borne insect pests. Unlike traditional chemical pesticides, these nematodes work with surgical precision, entering the bodies of their insect hosts via natural openings (anus, spiracles, and mouth), releasing tiny symbiotic bacteria, and causing rapid death—typically within 24–72 hours.
What sets NemaGen® apart is its formulation: built for improved shelf-life, higher infectivity, and optimal moisture-based mobility, it overcomes the limitations of first-generation nematode products. With enhanced tolerance to environmental stress and better persistence in the soil, NemaGen® ensures more extended protection and more reliable results for greenkeepers.
A Natural Fit for Green Spaces
One of the biggest challenges in turf and green space management is combating soil-borne pests, such as chafer grubs, leatherjackets, and weevils (Table 1). These pests damage root systems and attract secondary pests like birds and badgers that dig into the turf to feed, creating unsightly and costly damage to golf course, football pitches, resources and landscaping.
Table 1: Common Turf Pests Insect Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Relevance / Notes |
| Hoplia philanthus | Wales Chafer | Emerging primary turf pest; now responsible for ~80% of turf damage in the UK and Europe. Highly destructive to sports turf, lawns, and amenity grasslands. |
| Amphimallon solstitiale | Summer chafer | Found in sandy soils; mid-summer flyer; damages turf and crops. |
| Phyllopertha horticola | Garden chafer | Widely distributed; major turf pest across Europe. Feeds on grass roots. |
| Melolontha melolontha | Common cockchafer / May bug | Agricultural and forestry pest; long life cycle (3–5 years). |
| Melolontha hippocastani | Forest cockchafer | Primarily woodland pest; damages young tree roots. |
| Serica brunnea | Brown chafer | Minor pest in light soils; similar in appearance to garden chafer. |
Leatherjackets, Tipula paludosa, are the most damaging species among common craneflies, with high infestations in turfgrass. Tipula oleracea is the second most common species and often overlaps with T. paludosa. Additionally, Tipula maxima and other large cranefly species are occasionally found in damp, unmanaged turf but are less common. Leatherjackets (larvae) feed on grass roots and stems, attracting birds and mammals that tear up the turf.
Chafer Grubs are the soil-dwelling larvae of chafer beetles commonly found in the UK. These creamy-white, C-shaped grubs feed aggressively on grassroots, weakening turf and causing widespread damage. On golf courses, they create patchy, dying turf, disrupt playing surfaces, and attract predators like birds and badgers that dig up the ground in search of food — making the damage even worse. Infestations typically peak in late summer to autumn, and without adequate control, they can devastate fairways, greens, and tees, leading to costly repairs and turf replacement.
NemaGen® provides an effective solution that is safe for people, pets, pollinators, and the wider environment. With no harvest interval, no toxic residues, and full compatibility with integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, turf managers can meet sustainability targets without compromising performance.
Why NemaGen® Over Chemicals?
Environmental concerns, regulation, and resistance drive the shift away from synthetic pesticides. Many chemical insecticides have been banned or restricted in the UK and EU, and the remaining products often face limitations on timing, frequency, and application areas.
NemaGen® bypasses these restrictions entirely. Because it is a living biological organism, it’s exempt from maximum residue limits (MRLs) and aligns with the demands of eco-conscious consumers, councils, and sporting bodies. It is also approved for organic systems and professional amenity use, making it an attractive tool for environmentally responsible greenkeeping.
Application and Use
NemaGen® is applied through standard irrigation or sprayer equipment and needs moist soil conditions to begin working. It is best used during early pest lifecycle stages—targeting larvae when they are most vulnerable.
Depending on the formulation (e.g., Steinernema or Heterorhabditis species), NemaGen® can be used preventatively or curatively across a wide temperature range. With formulations tailored to specific pests and climates, Bionema ensures that end users get the correct nematode for the job, whether managing fairways, forestry plantations, or salad crops.
Bionema also offers training and diagnostic support to help greenkeepers identify pest species and apply treatments at the right time for maximum impact.
Data-Driven Results
Field trials have demonstrated NemaGen®’s effectiveness in controlling chafer grubs and leatherjackets, with over 80% reductions in pest populations under optimal conditions. Compared to conventional chemicals, the results are comparable and achieved without polluting soil or water systems.
Moreover, Bionema’s innovations in nematode delivery and shelf-stability mean that users benefit from faster action, more active nematodes per hectare, and extended protection post-application.
Looking Forward
As turf professionals are pressured to eliminate harmful chemicals and adopt sustainable practices, biological solutions like NemaGen® are no longer niche—they are essential. With products like NemaGen® leading the way, the future of pest control is green, effective, and backed by science.
Whether managing a championship golf course, public park, or high-value horticultural crop, NemaGen® offers a safe and proven solution that harmonises with nature. It helps greenkeepers protect the spaces they manage while preserving the ecosystems they depend on.
