Vine weevil
Pest Beetles and grubs that eat leaves and roots, especially in pots.
What to look for
Adult beetles notch leaf edges in neat scallops. The plump, white, C-shaped grubs eat roots, so plants in pots suddenly wilt and collapse. The base of the plant pulls away easily.
When: Adults from April to September, grubs from late summer to spring.
How to prevent it
- Check pot plants in autumn for grubs, and use fresh compost.
- Look for adult weevils on warm evenings and remove them by hand.
- Water pots with nematodes (Steinernema or Heterorhabditis) as a preventive in late summer.
How to deal with it
- Tip out affected pots and pick out the grubs.
- Water the compost with nematodes when soil is warm, between late summer and autumn or spring.
- Replant in fresh compost.
Crops it affects
If you choose to use any treatment, use only products approved for UK home gardens, follow the label and avoid spraying open flowers. See all pests and diseases.