Vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus)

I had these weevils in my garden a few years back and they destroyed most of my Fuchsias one year. The little white grubs with the brown heads ate all the roots and then the plants died. In springtime the grubs changed into adults. They are about 9mm long, dull black, beetle like with 6 legs. They do not move fast and tend to keep hidden during the day. The adults would feast on the Fuchsia leaves leaving irregular notches.

Armillatox was available to kill the eggs, but due to high costs in getting approval in the EEC for use as a pesticide (around £3 000 000). Well you would mix in a ratio of 500 to 1 solution with water and spray over the compost every fortnight during period March to October and then from November to March every month. You can get Armillatox to use in the garden for other purposes in the UK for about £8.45.

To kill the Vine Weevil in my garden I discovered Bio Provado Vine Weevil Killer which you mix with water and water into your containers. It is systemic, meaning that the plant absorbs it and the pests die once they begin to eat the plant or roots. Since PBI is now part of the Bayer group the product is renamed Bayer Provado Vine Weevil Killer. The active ingredient is Thiacloprid which also helps control Whitefly, Blackfly and Greenfly. Three applications a year are all that is needed. Cost is around a tenner for 750ml.

Levington compost can be obtained that contains the pesticide imidacloprid and other 12 months protection.

There are also natural enemies of the vine weevil like the centipede, which should not be confused with the millipede which is a pest. Yet another is something called nematodes. These are tiny creatures that enter the larvae through bodily openings and kill the larvae. You can buy the nematodes commercially like; JUST GREEN VINE WEEVIL KILLER SMALL PROGRAMME or Nemasys® VW biological vine weevil control . Steinernema kraussei is used for temperatures above 5C/68F while Heterorhabditis megidis works better above 12C/54F.

Like most insect pests, encouraging birds, frogs, toads, shrews, hedgehogs and predatory ground beetles will reduce vine weevil attacks.

Agralan Insect Barrier Glue around pots and greenhouse staging can trap the adults.

Hope this helps eradicate your vine weevil damage.