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Viburnum beetle

Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
in The potting shed
I have a small viburnum that has been attacked by the beetle
 I was going to dig it up to give it to my daughter  is there any way to kill the beetles off first?  Or  is it best binned?
North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone

Posts

  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    @Lizzie27 Just bumping up your thread for you to see if you can get an answer to your query. Don't have any answers myself sorry. 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks @Fran IOM. I suspect there's no easy answer.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Cottage CompostCottage Compost Posts: 496
    Do you have holes in the shrubs leafs? Or do you have a small black insect that looks like  a beetle within the flowers doing no harm at all?

    A small black and harmless beetle pollinates viburnum flowers.   You'll then get berries for the birds later on and the beetles are readily eaten by the birds too.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    The only way I know of to get rid of viburnum beetle once you have it, is to get rid of the viburnum! :D
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @Cottage Compost the leaves are completely shredded.
    @BobTheGardener, I was thinking the same but if I dug it up (about 2ft high), washed the soil off, cut the affected leaves off and sprayed it and then repotted it, would it be worth the hassle?
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I think the eggs overwinter in cracks etc in the bark, so a winter tree wash might be worth it in addition to the measures you mention?
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    Thanks @BobTheGardener, I'll think about it.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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