Vine Weevil Alert

[DannyK]

They're already at it!

My OH was splitting her containerised hostas, which had been outside all winter, and found loads of grubs.

[Lumpy]

What else does Vine Weevil attack as I have heard of them but thats about it.

[Jungle Jane]

Have you found any plants with the edges looking like jigsaw puzzle edges? I had some two years ago that ate one of my young plants that I'd just planted out (Brussels sprouts sowed in October planted out Dec/Jan,two years ago). They only ate & destroyed one of three plants I'd planted out,it was only about 10" tall,but I didn't see them again after that,I did nothing,haven't seen them since. I wonder where they went,I was thinking I'd have a problem with them but it was fine,maybe birds find them easily if they hideout during the day?

[Penellype]

Vine weevils eat the roots of almost any plants, preferring ones in containers for some reason. Vine weevils can't fly, but they can be imported in plants from elsewhere and the females produce hundreds of eggs. The adults come out at night and are rarely seen during the day, so you are most likely to notice the creamy white comma shaped grubs with brown heads, which overwinter in the soil.

I get them here and douse the garden with nematodes in spring when the soil is 5 degrees or more. The nematodes kill the grubs, so you need to do it before they hatch into adults which they can start to do in April.

[Bex2012]

Yeah I found about a dozen or so in the pots of mara de bois strawberry runners that have been sat in the garden all winter! I hate vine weevil larvae, they give me the heebie jeebies.

[DannyK]

What else does Vine Weevil attack as I have heard of them but thats about it.

I think the list of plant they don’t attack is very short!

Next door’s bergenias are well notched.

Watch for plants that are wilting despite the compost being moist. Give them a gentle tug. If they’re loose or come out it’s probably vine weevil. If you’re lucky you may be able to reroot them. I had a big crassula, which was attacked. Now I’ve lots of small ones!

They don’t seem to do much damage in beds but are deadly in containers. Maybe due to a lack of predators.

Whilst they don’t fly they are long distance walkers. I’ve found them indoors. Perhaps they hitch rides on clothing.

I use Provado vine weevil killer, Bug Clear make one too. They mustn’t be used on edibles.

Don’t squish the grubs. Feed them to the birds. I’ve had a robin take them from my hand.

[Jay22]

What do the grubs look like?

[Penellype]

What do the grubs look like?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH2FPvfnbUE

[Greentea]

I had an invasion of them last year. I don;t know what brought them in as my garden was fully enclosed by concrete walls, must have been in some pots in bought. I used nematodes and Provado where possible( as you cant use it anywhere near edibles). you should be able to pick off the adults early in the morning before they go into hiding. Put small pieces of corrugated cardboard in your garden, they like to hide in the holes and you can easily pick off the adults the next day.

[MarkPelican]

My grandson and I emptied out his strawberry pot over the weekend ready for replanting with new compost. We sifted out over 100 vine weevil grubs and put them on his bird table.

[goosander]

Vine weevils were my biggest problem. Found the adults flat things which I thought could fly. Have used compost with extemter in it which has solved my problem [Hope the weevils do not read this] Cost more but worth it.
Have this season only used the professional grower composts and found germanation and growth far better than the slightly cheaper ones.
Bob

[flynch]

I lost 3 young Apple trees. I had no idea why they died until I dug them out to find the roots had been eaten

[TrysHard]

Buggers got my potted Mara de Bois strawberries - binned the lot - luckily I have some runners from last year.

I am sure mine came in on some polyanthus about 3 years ago - I might just stop growing in pots.

[DannyK]

I'm watching for new notches on bergenias. Will give them a spray with a systemic.