Did I roast my nematodes?

March 30, 2013 2:05 PM

Nematodes sat in a hot mailbox for a couple days. Are they dead?

The beneficial nematodes I ordered to combat lawn grubs sat in my mailbox for possibly up to three days. It's been in the mid-70's here and the mailbox is metal and in the sun all day. The information sheet included says the ideal storage is 60°F. Are my nematodes dead? Is there a way to tell?

posted by DakotaPaul to Home & Garden (5 answers total)

Probably dead. Put a small sample in a little dish or something and add a bit of water. Use a small microscope or strong magnifier and you can see them. They should be swimming around. If they are stick straight and still they are dead.
posted by bongo_x at 2:43 PM on March 30, 2013

nematodes are supposed to be shipped in a cool pack and stored refrigerated from whoever you purchased them from. They're very likely dead because of your mailbox if they weren't already dead because they sat on a shelf somewhere for a long time.
posted by Thrillhouse at 4:17 PM on March 30, 2013

Checked them with my son's microscope, and stick straight is about the shape of things. No movement at all.

They were mailed in a padded envelope marked perishable, no cool pack or anything. Should I order nematodes from this company again (assuming I get to the mailbox more quickly next time)? If not, any recommendations?
posted by DakotaPaul at 4:55 PM on March 30, 2013

There's an awful smell if they're dead... They smell if they're alive, but it's awful if they're dead. The smell.
posted by RollingGreens at 7:30 PM on March 30, 2013

I'd mention it to the company.
posted by barnone at 8:06 PM on March 30, 2013