Entonem (Steinernema feltiae): Commercial Guide for Soil-Stage Pest Control
Jan 12, 2026
Soil-dwelling insect pests such as fungus gnat larvae and thrips pupae often go unnoticed until plant vigor and health begin to decline above the canopy. Feeding on roots, crowns, and callus tissue reduces nutrient uptake, slows growth, and creates entry points for soil-borne pathogens including Pythium and Fusarium. From greenhouses to homegrowers, these hidden stages can undermine plant quality long before adult insects are visible on sticky cards.
Entonem® is a biological soil pest control product containing the beneficial nematode Steinernema feltiae. It is designed to target insect pests during their soil-dwelling life stages, where chemical controls and foliar sprays are often ineffective. This guide explains how Entonem works, which soil pests it controls, how to apply it correctly, and how to integrate it into a professional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
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What Entonem Controls
Entonem controls insect pests that spend all or part of their life cycle in growing media, substrate surfaces, or moist organic films. It is widely used for fungus gnat larvae control, where larvae develop in moist potting media and algae layers. Entonem also suppresses thrips pupae residing in soil and can impact thrips larvae when applied as a sprench. Shore fly larvae inhabiting saturated pockets, bench runoff areas, and algae-covered surfaces are also susceptible to Steinernema feltiae. In container nurseries and perennial production, gardens and more Entonem is used against root-feeding beetle larvae such as black vine weevil, particularly during timeframes such as after the last-frost of the cold-seaso, when grubs are feeding near the surface.
By targeting these immature stages, Entonem interrupts pest life cycles, reduces adult emergence, and limits secondary problems such as root disease, nutrient stress, and uneven growth.
Entonem is designed for pests that develop in the substrate, including:
- Fungus gnat larvae in moist media and algae films
- Thrips pupae in soil and larvae reached by crown-flow sprays
- Shore fly larvae in wet pockets and surface films
- Root-feeding beetle larvae such as black vine weevil
How Entonem Works
Entonem contains live infective juveniles of Steinernema feltiae, a species of beneficial entomopathogenic nematode used extensively in biological insect control. After application, the nematodes move through the thin water films surrounding soil and substrate particles. They actively seek insect hosts by responding to carbon dioxide, heat, and chemical cues released by larvae and pupae.
Once a host insect is located, the nematodes enter through natural openings of the host. Inside the insect, they release symbiotic bacteria. These bacteria rapidly stop pests from feeding and overwhelm the insect’s immune system. Mortality of the fungus gnat larvae, thrips pupae or other pest typically occurs within 24 to 48 hours. The nematodes then reproduce inside the host cadaver, and newly formed infective juveniles disperse into the surrounding media, providing localized secondary suppression within the treated zone.
Preventative: Apply a baseline drench at potting or bench set-down.
Curative (light pressure): One drench, then re-evaluate in 7 days using sticky traps and potato slice checks.
Curative (heavy pressure): Weekly drenches for 2–3 cycles, then biweekly maintenance.
Temperature Performance
One of the primary advantages of Steinernema feltiae is its strong performance at lower soil temperatures compared to many other beneficial nematodes. Entonem can be applied when soil temperatures reach approximately 41 degrees Fahrenheit, with consistent activity observed at 46 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit and above. This cold tolerance makes Entonem particularly well suited for early-season greenhouse production, propagation houses, shaded benches, and interiorscapes where soil temperatures remain cool for extended periods.
At lower temperatures, maintaining adequate substrate moisture is critical to ensure nematode movement and host contact. Dry conditions will significantly reduce efficacy regardless of temperature.
Application Rates and Coverage
The standard commercial application rate for Entonem is 0.5 million infective juveniles per square meter, which is equivalent to approximately 46,500 nematodes per square foot. At this rate, a 50-million-nematode package covers roughly 1,076 square feet, while a 500-million-nematode package covers approximately 10,764 square feet.
Effective soil pest control depends on even distribution and sufficient water volume to move nematodes throughout the active root zone. Under heavy fungus gnat or thrips pressure, increasing the concentration is not recommended. Instead, the same rate should be applied on a repeat schedule to maintain consistent biological pressure on developing pest populations.
Entonem is commonly applied preventatively at potting, transplanting, or bench set-down to prevent establishment of fungus gnats and shore flies. When pest pressure is light, a single soil drench followed by reassessment after seven days using sticky traps and substrate sampling is often sufficient. Under heavy thrips and/or fungus gnat pressure, weekly drenches for two to three consecutive weeks are recommended, followed by biweekly maintenance applications as problem populations decline.
Mixing and Application Guidelines
Entonem should be mixed in clean, room-temperature water to avoid thermal shock. The entire package should be emptied into the spray tank, stirred thoroughly, allowed to soak briefly, stirred again, and then brought up to final volume. Using the full package at once ensures accurate dosing and uniform distribution. Continuous agitation is required throughout application because nematodes will settle if the solution is left undisturbed.
Fine mesh filters should be removed from the spray system, nozzle sizes should be at least 500 microns, and spray pressure should not exceed 200 PSI to prevent physical damage to the nematodes. Light irrigation before and after application helps move the nematodes into the root zone. Applications should be made during shaded conditions or in the evening to avoid ultraviolet light, which can reduce nematode
Storage and Handling
Entonem must be refrigerated immediately upon arrival and stored at temperatures between 35 and 43 degrees Fahrenheit. The product should never be frozen. For maximum performance, Entonem should be used as soon as possible and ideally within two weeks of receipt. Maintaining records of batch numbers and storage temperatures is recommended as part of a professional IPM and quality assurance program.
Integration with IPM
Entonem is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive IPM strategy rather than as a standalone treatment. It integrates well with preventative soil predators such as Stratiolaelaps scimitus for ongoing suppression, sticky cards for adult monitoring and trend analysis, and microbial insecticides such as Isaria fumosorosea for mixed-stage pressure. Broad-spectrum insecticides should be avoided during nematode treatment windows to preserve beneficial organism activity and overall biological balance.
Have questions regarding how Entonem works with your current spray rotation? Contact us via live chat or check out our Compatability Database.
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