vine weevils

maysdaddy

Just discovered beetles in my conservatory, brown and about 1/4" long. Apparently they are vine weevils, as the potted plants have wilted and there are horrid white maggot :eek:things in the soil. I have spent about a tenner on a pesticide by Provado, that needed to be watered into the plants. Any advice on cost effective way of control?
Apologies that this has already been discussed; but they are in the house!!!

foxgloves

Yes, my first encounter with vine weevil was in a potted plant that I'd brought in. They don't bite people and they're not dirty, just really infuriating because of the damage they do to plants and you don't realise the grubs are under there destroying the roots until the plant starts going sick. I've never used a pesticide personally, I go for the total squidge method which is to kill any of the adult weevils I find, then at the same time, take the plants outside, tip them out, shake as much soil off the roots as possible and repot them in new compost. Squidge any of the grubs that you see. I don't get much of a problem with them these days but last year, one of my big outdoor pots had something so weird in the compost and I realised it was vine weevil grubs which were in the process of turning into adult weevils. They were yuk, and yes, same technique, squidged. Should add that we're organic, so squidging baddies soon becomes a way of life. Don't be tempted even to let one weevil or grub live. I don't think vine weevils even need one of each sex to reproduce, so that's how they get such a hold on things. You'll get on top of the problem now you know what they are & develop zero tolerance!

moaninggit

***.armillatox.com/

Suzy_M

Nematodes! Best solution we've ever found.

Armillatox is great for all sorts of things (officially and unofficially) - but not in an enclosed space!

Farway

I used Provodo, I know it is not cheap, but it does work and only needs applying once a year, saved my fuchias, African violets and naked ladies last year

Only problem is it is not suitable for edible plants

Jap2Uk

Dreadfull things. We occasionaly have them at the nursery. We have used Nematodes in untreated compost. For all stock that gets potted on we use suscon green and also used vinil.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I use the nematodes now.
Put them on twice a year and never seem to have problem anymore.

Linda32

We've got these as well, although only in the garden. I've only seen one of the weevils, but plenty of the maggots which cause the damage :eek: I've never used any chemicals, I would do btw, just never have. I understand you can go out at night with a torch and find the weevils and squish them then, thats when I saw the one and only, and yes I did squish it.

I've been known to yank the plant out and wash the roots and put back in new soil, its rather a messy job!!!!

I understand they do less damage if you don't grow in pots, the plant can weather the storm if its in the ground as the maggots only tend to go around and around generally munching in a pot.

peter_the_piper

Jap2Uk wrote: »

Dreadfull things. We occasionaly have them at the nursery. We have used Nematodes in untreated compost. For all stock that gets potted on we use suscon green and also used vinil.

As above but nematodes on any bought in stock in the autumn. Seems to have eradicated them but it can be a battle. Be persistant.

Dustykitten

Found 9 of the blighters today in one pot. Funny thing is same plant (auricular) has been in there years. I've spread the soil on the ground and picked them out and put them for the birds to eat. Seeing if the bits of the plant will take as cuttings in another pot.

peter_the_piper

Auriculas are well known for the blighters as they grow with a dense matted root so no chemical gets to them. Does not stop nematodes though. You may well find the bits will take providing the grubs have left some root.