Vine weevil advice

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Just found some vine weevils attacking my sansevieira collection. Only noticed as there was some damage to the leaves. Have read that you should use pesticide on the infected plants and keep them away from the other sans. Not a great fan of chemicals but dont want to lose my plants. Any advice ?

Edit: I've just ordered some nematode nemasys weevil killer which is chemical free. Hopefully this will work but just a bit concerned as the sans are in free draining soil so whether watering the nematodes into the soil will work ...not sure ?

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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

9 years ago

Are the plants indoors or out? In containers? If outside and in containers you can try the nematodes but timing needs to be just right. They need to be applied when the weevil larvae are active and getting ready to emerge, which is usually mid to late summer in my area. But you will have to address the adults as well. And that can be done without any chemicals and is probably more efficient without.

Weevils are nocturnal so go out just before dark and spread sheets or open newspapers around the plant and shake it hard. If you can pick it up and shake, so much the better. They are very clumsy insects and can't fly so they just fall off. Pick them up and dispose of them in a bucket of soapy or ammonia water. You may have to repeat the process a couple of times, a week or two apart, but that should get them.

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Comments (6)

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
9 years ago
Bummer! What is your location? Are you able to add any pics?
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Dave Simpson
Original Author
9 years ago
I'm in the UK so all my sans are in pots inside. Been checking with a torch to see if I can see anymore adults. Not seen anymore yet. Disposed of a couple which were hiding in the bottom of the pots earlier today. Thing is quite a few of my sans are close to each other so now concerned they'll all be infected.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
I have never encountered weevils indoors but they are common as heck outside. I would consider that to be a very unusual occurrence on any kind of stay-in houseplant!!
Dave Simpson
Original Author
9 years ago
Heres some pics. As you can see its attacked my little pup quite badly but not touched the mother plant and the bacularis has been chomped right at the top! Found another weevil crawling across the table last night and disposed of it.
Sans2014
9 years ago
Get new soil and repot your plants making sure you get the old soil off the roots and then repot in clean pots. You can even use insecticidal soap spray on the roots ( I have used it in the past with no ill effect). Good luck getting rid of the pests.