IF you’ve noticed tiny bite marks on your plant leaves, a certain pest may be to blame.
A gardener has revealed the DIY hack he swears by for keeping vine weevils away from his flowerbeds.
He shared the tip on a post in the Facebook group Gardening, Hints, Tips, and DIY Crafters on the Tedoo App.
The commenter explained that he lost his garden to the bugs two years ago.
“I basically had to remove three quarters of my plants, even after treating [them] with nematodes,” he said.
Nematodes are a biological control used to manage garden pests without using harmful chemicals.
“I didn’t plant anything for over a year [because of the vine weevils],” he added.
“I had quite a few pots….and we all know vine weevil just love pots!”
His plants are currently located in raised beds, but he revealed that he has noticed “a few with chomps” from the pesky critters.
If anyone else’s plant pots are being chomp by vine weevils, the gardener shared his hack.
“If you have any pots place them in a bucket of water over your soil [at the] level of your planter,” he advised.
He said vine weevils can’t swim and will drown trying to reach your plants.
In addition, treat any plant pots with nematodes twice a year, and change the soil in your pots a minimum of two times during 12 months.
Gardening experts at Garden Focused also recommend using water to combat the pests.
“Submerge the plant, not the top growth, in water for 48 hours,” they suggested.
“This is not long enough to damage the plant significantly but it does drown the vine weevils.”
Insect glue can also be used to protect plants from critters.
Experts also suggest placing insect glue around your plants to further protect them from the critters.
It works when insects probe the glue with their antennae, they turn away deterring damage to your precious trees and crops.
It is particularly good at deterring adult vine weevil, winter moths and ants.
It also prevents ants climbing trees and will reduce the incidence of aphids.
Fabulous’ Associate Editor and gardening enthusiastic, Rebecca Miller, reveals how you can identify a vine weevil in your garden.
Adult weevils
“Around 9mm long, they are dull black with dirty yellow markings on the wings. They leave distinctive bite marks on leaves, creating irregular notches along the edges.
“Adult vine weevils love evergreen plants like rhododendrons and camellias. And these marks are most visible in the summer when the adults are active.
“While the damage can be disheartening, it usually doesn’t harm the plant’s growth.”
Grubs
“This stage of a vine weevil causes the most damage.
“They are plump, white, and legless, with light brown heads, and can grow up to 10 mm long.
“You might mistake them for maggots and are most active in the autumn through spring, but can be found year-round.
“They live underground and eat plant roots, corns, and tubers.
“As the infestation progresses, you may also notice plants wilting, collapsing, and eventually dying.
“Act fast if you see a vine weevil grub!”
