Help has arrived

Posted on 2 Apr, 2008 18 comments

Arrrrggggghhhh! On Sunday, I was checking out my pots of fushias, just to see what has survived, and noticed that I have been invaded by Vine Weevils! I straight away ordered some Nematodes from the Green Gardener, http://www.greengardener.co.uk/. Nematodes are a living organism and therefore a biological way of fighting all sorts of beasties. They attach themselves to the pest and feed off them. Maybe a bit expensive but you only need to apply the nematodes, mixed with water and applied using a watering can, or feeder, once now and once again at the end of summer. They are completely safe to use where there are children or pets.

Vine Weevil Larvae – The Pest

They feed underground on roots and stem-bases from mid/late summer and through the winter, severely weakening or killing plants. Mainly a problem in container-grown plants, but can cause serious damage to some plants in borders and to strawberries. One specific control is available – Vine Weevil Nematodes. The eggs are a bit difficult to find, mainly because they look so much like fertiliser granules and about the same size.

Although mainly a problem in containers, I have only found them in pots with commercial multi-compost and not in those pots where I have used that super duper compost from my bins, though you may find them in soil. I’ll have to get in those bins before too long and get some of that lovely stuff mulched up.

This company also supply nematodes for slugs & snails and chafer grubs.

I seem to have lost my broad beans that were sown last October. They’ve died off over that last couple of days. Think it must have got too hot in my patio greenhouse. I have put some more in quickly and proberbly put them on my kitchen window sill. Mixed coloured lettuce were sown last week and are poking through. These are on the kitchen sill too. I intend to use them as cut and come again salad leaves. Seems to be the in thing these days and seems a good idea.

I don’t know if you are aware of a company in Jersey, Jersey Plants Direct, http://jerseyplantsdirect.com/ but if you like the idea of using plugs, thier prices seem very low 100 Impatiens Double DeLuxe only £9.99 + 60 free, inc P&P and delivery is quick. I used them for my winter baskets. There’s a mass of different plants.

Comments

Fourseasons..

I used Jersey plants for some polyanthus - got loads in the autumn and they are looking very healthy and colourful now. Even the small ones are bulking out.

2 Apr, 2008

Maple

Sorry to read of your invasion Muddy! Horrible things they are. Good luck in the war against them

2 Apr, 2008

Muddy_boots

I shall blast the little critters out of existance and feed them to the birds!

2 Apr, 2008

Janette

Good luck they are nasty little thing

2 Apr, 2008

Muddy_boots

Thanks Janette ..... Alway6s thought I'd never get them ..... bit like head lice in the kids

2 Apr, 2008

Janette

OMG you have made me itch now lol

2 Apr, 2008

Carolyn

An interesting blog, I have seen the weeval a few times, horrible looking thing, but not known what they were, but dont think I have a problem with them thank good ness. But if I find them this year I know what to do......
And thanks for the Jersey tip

2 Apr, 2008

Buzzbee

Good luck to you - we lost a favourite heuchera a couple of years ago to these wee things - so all power to the nematodes!

2 Apr, 2008

David

Yuk! And this is just the larvae!

3 Apr, 2008

Spritzhenry

Don't send them my way. will you! Thanks for the tip on Nematodes. Did they arrive quickly?

3 Apr, 2008

Muddy_boots

Hi Spritz - yes they did. I ordered online on Sunday and they arrived yesterday, Wednesday

3 Apr, 2008

Sid

Hi Muddy - thanks for the tips! I lost a whole load of begonia corms a few years ago to these little horrors, also I can't grow strawberries in containers as they destroy those too - in my garden they don't seem to attack anything in the ground, only things in containers. I'm not sure if these are what are on my aquilegias - my grubs are very tiny - but they could well be very immature weevil grubs, I suppose???

10 Apr, 2008

Maccrimmon

I aint never had these in the garden thanfully , they look awful things,

hey Muddy I notice in your photo's that the one on the left is smaller than the one on the right , does that make him the lesser of two weevils? . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .sorry!

Mac

3 Apr, 2009

Sid

ha ha haaahhhhh.............

3 Apr, 2009

Muddy_boots

Got loads of 'em, Mac, if you want any. Seem to be mainly amongst the strawberry and fuschia roots

Ken

3 Apr, 2009

Maccrimmon

I planted strawberries this year ,I will watch out for them horrors.

3 Apr, 2009

Muddy_boots

Up in the roots, Mac, and if you see any holes in a thick root stock, or any orange like 'dust', have a look for them in there. If you have any blackbirds that far north at this time of the year, tame one as they like 'em

3 Apr, 2009

Marydoll

oh no I had some of these in a few of my containers! didn't realise what they were!!! Glad I was re=newing most of my soil and splitting plants I just left them where they fell and hopefully the birds will get rid of them. Thanks for the blog otherwise............. disaster!

31 May, 2009

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