The evil weevil....

[w33blegurl]

Just checked over my strawberries this weekend as they were looking pretty sorry for themselves and the plants just came away in my hand....closer inspection revealed that the pot (they are in one of those big strawberry planters) was full of vine weevil larvae. I have lost the lot So....I will have to start over next year by the looks of things, but what can I do to prevent a recurrance? I have to keep them in pots as we simply dont have space in the garden to plant any out. Has anyone tried the nematode control, does it work? Also I have a vague remembering that you can buy compost that contains something to kill the vine weevil.... anything else I could try?

Most disappointed as the majority of the plants were new this year....but determined to get rid of the little blighters next year!!!
Cheers!

[ginger ninger]

In my flower tubs I use "BUG Clear Ultra" but you can't use it in pots what you grow food in. I've used nematodes this year and so far so good, I hate the dam things with a passion they cause so much damage, I keep an eye out for the adults there active mostly at night, but hide under the leaf's through the day or down the back of pots, I just stamp on them. Adult's are all female here's a photo.

[sarraceniac]

I tried nematodes for slugs and only found one problem. If the temperature drops below 5oC for even a short time the nematodes die. If I lived on the Mediterranean coast I would whole heartedly recommend them. But here in the UK I just don't think they are worth it except in high summer, which is not the time they are needed most. That is early spring.

[ginger ninger]

Good point there "sarraceiac", I introduced the nematodes in June when we had the better weather. Just a bit expensive to be doing now, if the weather drop's cold you might loose them all, shame that can't be said for the "vine weevils".

[SueA]

I've used the nematodes for vine weevils on all my plants in pots & they do seem to work. I didn't use them this year though & have noticed some adult weevils which are one of the only things I squash if I see them (those & lily beetles!) so I've been picking them off & squashing them. It's prpbably too late to apply nematodes now but you can use them in spring as soon as the ground starts to warm up but they advise using them every so many weeks as once the nematodes have killed off the grubs they die off themselves, you can keep applying them up until early autumn as long as the soil is still fairly warm.

[Eco-Chic]

Just checked over my strawberries this weekend as they were looking pretty sorry for themselves and the plants just came away in my hand....closer inspection revealed that the pot (they are in one of those big strawberry planters) was full of vine weevil larvae. I have lost the lot So....I will have to start over next year by the looks of things, but what can I do to prevent a recurrance? I have to keep them in pots as we simply dont have space in the garden to plant any out. Has anyone tried the nematode control, does it work? Also I have a vague remembering that you can buy compost that contains something to kill the vine weevil.... anything else I could try?

Most disappointed as the majority of the plants were new this year....but determined to get rid of the little blighters next year!!!
Cheers!

Next year try standing your pots on feet or bricks in saucers or containers of water as the adults don't fly and won't swim through the water to get into the pots.

[w33blegurl]

Thanks for the help guys....will definitely try standing them in the saucers of water - cheap and easy!! Will give the nematodes a go next year and see how it goes!

[gojiberry]

I use a product called provada (or something like that) You water it into the soil when you plant your strawberries and it should last about 3/4 months. It says not to use on food crops but I find that providing you dont use it during flowering or fruiting you should be alright. I usually water as soon as fruiting has finished and again early March.

Ian