Vine weevil are a type of beetle that are relentless pests in gardens. The larvae feast on plant roots while the adults eat leaves, buds, and soft fruit. If you have ever noticed notched leaves or chewed fruit on your plants, chances are you have vine weevil to thank.
Did you know that adult vine weevils can fly? Though they don’t travel far, this is how they spread from garden to garden and wreak havoc on your plants. If you’re dealing with a vine weevil infestation, don’t worry—there are plenty of ways to get rid of them. Here are four effective methods:
Handpicking
This method is best used for small infestations. Go out to your garden at night with a flashlight and a bucket of soapy water. Weevils are Nocturnal creatures, so this is when they’re most active. shine your light on the leaves and stem of your plants and look for the telltale signs of weevil damage: notched leaves and chewed stems. When you see one, gently place it in the bucket of soapy water. Repeat this process until you’ve caught as many weevils as possible.
Pesticides
There are a number of pesticides that are effective against vine weevils, but be sure to read the label carefully before purchasing one. You want to make sure that the pesticide you choose is safe for use around children and pets. You also want to make sure that it won’t harm beneficial insects like ladybugs and bees. Once you’ve chosen a pesticide, follow the instructions on the label carefully in order to achieve the best results.
Traps
Weevil traps are available for purchase online or at your local gardening store. These traps work by luring weevils in with a sweet smelling bait and then trapping them inside. Check the traps regularly and empty them into soapy water when they become full. Be sure to dispose of the trap according to the manufacturer’s instructions—some traps need to be thrown away after a single use while others can be reused several times.
Predators
There are a number of predators that will happily feast on vine weevils, including nematodes, spiders, birds, and lizards. If you have any of these creatures in your garden already, they may help keep the vine weevil population under control without you having to do anything else. If you don’t have any natural predators in your garden, you can purchase them online or at your local gardening store. Be sure to release them according to the manufacturer’s instructions so they can start doing their job right away.
Conclusion
Vine weevils can do a lot of damage to your plants, but there’s no need to panic—there are plenty of ways to get rid of them! With a little persistence and effort, you can say goodbye to these pesky pests for good using any one (or all!) of these four methods: handpicking, pesticides, traps, or predators .
