Pest Control

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Gardening is a popular pastime and massive numbers of container plants are produced yearly. However, many of the insecticides used by commercial growers have been banned, such as aldrin which disappeared in 1989. Although this is great news environmentally, vine weevil numbers have risen exponentially as a result and they've become a problem in many gardens. And, as a native pest, they're always going to be around!

You can tell if you've got vine weevils because the adults eat characteristic circular notches in the edges of leaves, usually choosing healthy evergreen plants. Although the damage looks awful, it's merely cosmetic - the serious damage is happening underground where the larvae are active. These feed rapaciously on the roots, eventually causing the death of the plant. If your plants are wilting as if they're dry, but the soil is moist, then give the leaves a gentle tug. If the whole plant comes away in your hand, you may find that vine weevil larvae have eaten the roots. Many plants are affected, especially those with fibrous root systems such as sedums, primulas and fuchsias. However, all containerised plants should be checked regularly.

The most effective way of controlling the pest is by killing the larval stage - and to be successful at this, you need to be aware of the life cycle. You can't kill the adults using insecticides and, being largely nocturnal, they're hard to see unless you go out at night with a flashlight and pick them off by hand, then stamp on them hard - a satisfying sound! The only stage you can kill easily is the larval stage.

One of the main problems is that all vine weevil adults are female and each produces hundreds of eggs parthenogenetically ie without a mate. The eggs hatch to produce 'C' shaped, legless, larvae with a distinctive brown head - these feed throughout late summer and autumn. During winter their feeding activity decreases as they move down into the ground, but in spring they start feeding again. So the best time to treat the soil or compost is during the autumn, when the soil is moist and above 5C. If the problem isn't severe, then treating the garden now should be adequate. However, you can also treat during spring if the problem's severe.

Using a naturally-occurring nematode worm, Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer is the most effective way of controlling the pest and is safe for children, pest and wildlife. The nematodes seek out the larvae and enter through natural body openings. Once inside, they release bacteria that prevent the pest from feeding and it dies. The nematodes reproduce inside the dead pest and release a new generation of hungry infective nematodes, which disperse and search for further prey.

Simply add the powder to a large bucket of water and mix thoroughly, then dilute it according to the instructions. Using a watering can with a coarse rose or a hose-end feeder such as that produced by Miracle-Gro or Photrogen, water it on to moist soil around the affected plants. Try to apply it during the evening to prevent it drying out and ensure the soil remains wet so that the nematodes can move through the soil solution to find the larvae.