Evil vine weevils. Questions.

kindredspirit · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 3:15 pm Post subject: Evil vine weevils. Questions.

I'll tolerate all insects in my garden, even slugs & snails but when it comes to vine weevils, then it's a different matter.

Two questions.

1) Would copper slug and snail tape around my Alpine troughs stop vine weevils from climbing up to lay their eggs? Or would they need to have wet feet for it to be effective?

2) Would Ant Killer Powder sprinkled around the base of the troughs kill vine weevils on their nocturnal ramblings?

The answer to No.1 is probably no but No. 2's solution may be effective. I don't know. Anyone know?

tippben · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 5:33 pm Post subject:

No. The only remedy I know of is systemic insecticide. This is why I gave up growing strawberries in containers. You can go out at night and find them. You can squish the grubs. The eggs remain. I dumped everything far away from my garden. Legally, of course!

Good guy · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 6:12 pm Post subject:

The company that makes Nemaslug has a nematode that parasitises the grub stage. It needs to be applied when the soil is warm enough (now?). The good thing about the adults is that the damage they do is not usually too bad and they are easy to see and catch. They also make a very satisfying crunch when stepped on😄😄👿
Peat based composts seem to encourage them and in my experience they are more of a problem in containers rather than the open ground - no predators, I guess.

Margo · Posted: Fri Jul 17, 2015 7:06 pm Post subject:

They do seem to be rife this year

Sue Deacon · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:49 am Post subject:

Ah, the no:1 villan in my garden! I love Primulas/Auriculas, Heuchera and Alpine Strawberries and so do the Vine Weevils. Twisted Evil

I use a systemic drench for the Heuchera and Primula. This year I tried the Bio. control on my strawberries - so far so good. But it is a fiddle, right amount, right time of year, right temp. etc.

In previous years Imake sure my 'babys' (Auriculas) are surrounded by a thick layer of sharp grit. It helps - a bit.

I know it is horribly toxic, but there are times when I miss Hexyl. Rolling Eyes

tagwex · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2015 12:21 am Post subject:

Size 10's and crunch.

Good guy · Posted: Mon Jul 20, 2015 8:38 pm Post subject:

One time I repotted something only to find lots of VW grubs (not a Beetle!). I put them on the bird table and watched while the robins had a feast.
Size 10s are good too.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 8:21 am Post subject:

tagwex · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 8:32 am Post subject:

Don't feed the troll Sue, he is punning again, albeit a weak effort.

Margo · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 8:34 am Post subject:

My chickens have mine as they do slugs and snail eggs, they go mad.

Good guy · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 1:40 pm Post subject:

Gatwex, before you start casting nasturtiums at the quality of my puns, let's see how good your's are, ok?

tagwex · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:29 pm Post subject:

I have said it before and it looks like I will have to say it again. I will leave the childish games to the children! And you still haven't figured out exhaustipated.

Margo · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:35 pm Post subject:

Now now lets all be nice and play quietly.

tagwex · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:45 pm Post subject:

Buuuuut Miss, he is annoying me. Give him detention.

Margo · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2015 3:47 pm Post subject:

Just sit down and be quiet and don't say a thing until you smile at each other