"Insecticidal Soap sprayed directly on a beneficial such as a bee, Lady Beetle and its larva, etc. can be as harmful to them as it is to any other insect. Insecticidal Soaps can be used to aid in control of Japanese Beetles, if sprayed in the morning before they become active." Sorry, but that is simply not true. Insecticidal soaps are not considered broad spectrum insecticides because they only target soft bodied insects. They have a well-established reputation for being virtually harmless to beneficial insects. They have no impact on anything with an exoskeleton. From CO State: "Insecticidal soaps are considered selective insecticides because of their minimal adverse effects on other organisms. Lady beetles, green lacewings, pollinating bees and most other beneficial insects are not very susceptible to soap sprays." From an organic gardening site: "The insects must come into direct contact with the spray droplets for the material to be effective. Good coverage is essential. It does not kill beneficial insects such as ladybugs, praying mantis and others. Note: Some entomologists have concerns about impact of soaps on soft-bodied immature predators, such as lady beetle and lacewing larvae. No real data has turned up that substantiates these fears, however, until such data surfaces, perhaps refraining from using soaps where there are numbers of these beneficial larvae (until they mature) would be advisable." From WSU extension service: "Many of the beneficial insects in gardens are not harmed by soaps. Bees, wasps and adult beetles are not affected. Sometimes, however, the larval stage of beneficial insects may be killed." And from Clemson University: " Insecticidal soaps have many advantages when compared to other insecticides. They are inexpensive to use, are among the safest pesticides, leave no harsh residue, are natural products that are virtually non-toxic to animals and birds, and can be used on vegetables up to harvest. Most beneficial insects are not harmed by soap sprays."

Another vote for GOPHERS! Constant vigilance. Have to watch like a hawk for the first mound and trap immediately. They ate all the roots of my poor tomatoes in one day when we were away. Squirrels during fruit season. Citrus leaf miners. Our monthly mow, blow and go guys who sometimes take it upon themselves to prune. Redwood trees that drink way too much water and don't let anything grow within 20 feet of them (but look too majestic to be cut down) Hard clay soil mixed with construction debris from generations of remodeling projects. Neighbors who let their pittosporum hedge get so tall that my yard is all in shade. And then cut it down to 3 feet with no notice on the hottest day of the year so half my yard fries by evening.

Oh, now that things are getting back to me; after clean-shaving all the roots and treating with bleach, I also scrubbed the root-stub with a tooth brush under running tap water... As I mentioned many times before, PREVENTION is the best cure! Do examine ALL rooted figs you get from who-ever. If RKN ever get into ones garden soil, it is extremely difficult to eradicate them, no matter how many RKN- trapping-marigolds are planted, RKN-eating-good- nematodes (expensive) are applied, or chemicals used. There is one chemical that nukes the soil (it practically kills everything!). I forgot the exact name. But it SO toxic, that it is now illegal and not available any more.

bornagain, The company is called Biocontrol Network. They're located in Brentwood, TN. I bought a 40 lb bag of Sluggo from them this past spring. The Zerotol is expensive. The smallest jug is 2.5 gal. It cost me $169.95 total. ($130.75 for the Zerotol, $16.80 for shipping, .40 insurance and $22.00 for hazardous material. After ordering it I learned that there's another online place that sells it and I think it's quite a bit cheaper. I think the place is EH Griffith. Not 100% sure on the name. I hope it works. The nems must go! While on the subject.....Last year I vowed I wouldn't buy another hosta until late summer so I'll know if the plant has nems or not.....then I stood by and watched a nursery worker at a large nearby nursery, he probably didn't make more than mininum wage and was given orders to "pretty up" the hostas. As he inspected each pot on the tables, he pinched off all the "imperfect leafs"....who knows what he pinched off... just broken or sun damaged leafs or did they show hvx, or maybe nematode damage???? So much for closely inspecting plants before you buy.