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Vine Weevil advice

GrannybeeGrannybee Posts: 332
in Problem solving
I have just discovered that we have a big vine weevil infestation in our pots - everything from fuchsia to bonsai seems to be affected. I have looked at the archive of posts on here and advice is varied. Nematodes don’t always work apparently and some chemicals have been banned. Does anyone have up to date info/ advice? Thanks! 

Posts

  • Sazz101Sazz101 Posts: 248
    I’m not sure what reasons have been suggested for nematodes not working. For me, nematodes work really well.  

    So long as they are applied when the soil is warm enough and it’s the right window for their lifecycle (now is fine according to website) they do work. Last year I decided to switch to the slug nematodes rather than vine weevil. This year I’m really paying for it! They work!
  • TheGreenManTheGreenMan Posts: 1,957
    I lost quite a few potted plants in 2018. I’d never heard of vine weevils up to that point yet I’d seen them and just thought they were a benign looking beetle or something. 

    Once I realised what they were and that their kids had killed my plants I used nematodes and then covered the top of EVERY pot with fine grit. 

    I also did late night hunts with lots of squishing. 

    None of my plants died after that. 
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I have used nematodes in the past and have some on order at the moment. Depending on how many pots have been affected and how bad the damage is, you could try washing the roots and repotting in fresh compost before applying nematodes. Be warned though, they are sneaky little beggars, so be absolutely sure you get as many as you possibly can. Some of the grubs are miniscule. 
    @wild edges is an expert when it comes to vine weevil hunting .
  • GrannybeeGrannybee Posts: 332
    Thanks everyone for helpful info. I have washed several plants out but its quite a daunting task as there are so many. If I order some nematodes today I should be able to get going quickly before its too late. Never thought of grit on top of every pot. I think I will also reduce the number of pots too - they always cause me anxiety in the summer when its very dry!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The soil has to be warm enough for nematodes to work. In many areas, by the time that happens it's too late for them to be effective. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GrannybeeGrannybee Posts: 332
    I hope its warm enough now - 20 degrees yesterday.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's the soil temp that matters - not the air temp  :)
    Our ground temps are still in low single figures, and that's the difficulty. If you've had that sort of temp for a while, the ground is probably ok.  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    I should think that as @Grannybee is in "Sunny South England" the soil temps are probably okay this year @Fairygirl. I was fascinated by the snow on Beechgrove this week, l haven't seen that much in a long time !
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    We've only had a few snowfalls this winter @AnniD, and none was more than the amount they had in that episode. 
    The winters here have definitely got much milder, apart from last year,  although it was the dryness of this one that was highly unusual. I really don't like it. I'd much rather have snow than rain.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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