Do any body know of an easy way to get rid of Vine Weevils?

Question

Do any body know of an easy way to get rid of Vine Weevils?

Answer 1

Provado - the systemic insecticide, Imidacloprid applied to the growing medium as a drench, lasts for a few months and kills the larvae which do the damage. It cannot be used on edible or cropping plants such as strawberries.

Levington Plant Protection Compost - contains Imidacloprid a systemic insecticide, and used as the growing medium gives protection for about six months. Follow the instructions carefully and buy only what is needed as it loses its potency if stored.

Nematode - Steinernema kraussei - a microscopic eel worm which kills the larvae, is a recently discovered species that works down to 5°C so it can be applied over a longer period outdoors. It is best used between August and November when the weevil eggs are hatching and again from March to May when the soil is warm enough and the larvae are active. The protection lasts for about four weeks - trade name Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer or Grubsure.

Nematode - Heterorhabditis megidis another species of eel worm which enters the grub and carries bacteria that kill it. The nematode reproduces using the dead grub as food. It is also temperature sensitive and works best at around 12°C. They die out if no grubs are present.

Traps - corrigated cardboard has been used, made into a roll and left for the adults to hide in during the day. Moist sacking laid on a path provides a dark daytime hiding place for the adults, which can be collected during the day when they are relatively inactive. Night-time sorties with a torch might show results, but the adults are quite active and difficult to catch.

Foliar insecticide - plants which are attacked by adults can be sprayed with insecticide starting in the late spring and repeated during the summer to kill them before the egg-laying period in late summer

Sacrificial plants - primulas, polyanthus and cyclamen are some of the favoured plants for adult weevils to lay their eggs beside. Some of these potted in Levington Plant Protection Compost and left beside your treasured plants will attract the adults, which will lay their eggs in the compost and the larvae will be killed when they hatch and begin feeding. You could use Provado to treat the sacrificial plants instead.

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk...

Controlling vine weevil is difficult. Systemic chemical controls rely on killing the vine weevil ONCE they have attacked the plant. Chemical controls MUST not be used on food crops. Unlike chemical controls, Nemasys® kills the vine weevil grubs BEFORE they attack the plants and is so safe you can use on pot plants both in the greenhouse and conservatory and all container plants outside and anywhere in the garden. It's ideal for food crops such as strawberries and herbs!

http://www.greengardener.co.uk/weevil.ht...