Vine Weevil nightmare

[Marb67]

Well folks, looks like it's pest city in my small garden. Last year I was finding small white grubs in my strawberry pots which I destroyed. I later treated with vine wevil nematodes in all pots and garden soil. I have noticed my alpine succulents in the greenhouse going a bit brown on the undersides but the main plants look healthy. However all of them are coming away from the pot when I touch them with no roots. Depressingly I found the pots full of white grubs with dark brown heads. Vine weevil !!! I killed them and went through the soil until I found no more. Some were tiny but I think I got them all (probably not) I bought some strawberry plants in from outside and checked them (not all) and couldn't find any. Healthy roots.

Why are vine weevil already grubs ? I thought it would be too early. Also my rhodo plant is going yellow despite feeding some apple cider to give it a slight acid boost. I suspect they are in that too. Can vine weevil outside get killed by the cold frost ? If so I think that is why my outside plants were not affected because of this.

What should I do that is organic to prevent them ruining (among other pests) yet another season ? Clearly nematodes haven't worked. Also, if I lay the succulent tops on sandy compost will they grow new plants ?

Thanks.

[Guest]

You need to treat them twice a year with nematodes Mar/Apr and Sept/Oct temperature permitting. Also it helps not eradicates like most organic treatments. What are you doing with the soil from the pots they were in? They tend to be more of a problem in pots rather than open ground, Also they have favourites plants but will opt for others in the absence I don't think cold kills them. Check all your pots. Some plants can be rescued by washing of all soil and re-potting in fresh compost. Apart from that it tends to be a case of keep checking and persevering

[Aberdeenplotter]

I agree with NG. Multiple applications will be needed. The nematodes will die out when their food source dies out but any weevil eggs left in the soil will survive and be free to do their worst once they hatch.

[WendyC]

If they are in pots with non edibles you might consider a chemical approach, e.g. Provado. It's the only way I have got rid of them. The grubs are not killed by frost or drowning but squishing and boiling water seem to do the trick. I hasten to add boiling water only on compost not plants.