Black weevils are a plant pest both indoors and outdoors. These destructive little insects invade the root system of a healthy plant and then eat it from the roots. Learning how to control black weevil will save your plants from unnecessary damage.
Fighting black weevils: how to recognize the pests
These pests can be divided into different types. The most common species in the garden is the black weevil. Although this type is the most common, it is far from the only one. All plants in your home or garden aresusceptible to infestation.
The black weevil larvae look like white maggots or worms and are found in the soil. Adult weevils are beetle-like insects that can be black, brown, or gray. They cannot fly and have short, broad proboscises, curved or “curved” antennae, and patches of short hair. During the day they hide in cracks in the earth, garden waste and mulch.
Pest life cycle
Black weevils overwinter as almost fully grown larvae in the soil around the roots of host plants. In spring they transform into pupae and emerge as adults. After two or more weeks (depending on temperature), they begin laying eggs near the crowns of host plants. Hatching occurs after about 10 days, and the tiny larvae burrow into the ground and begin to feed. They have one generation per year.
What damage do weevils cause?
If your garden or house plants are infested with black weevils, both the roots and leaves will be damaged. The leaves of the plant look as if someone has bitten into the edges. This damage occurs at night because the pests come to feed at night. Severe infestations can cause plants to wither and die.
Additionally, the damage to the roots is an open door for root rot and other fungi and viruses. The adult black weevil feeds on young leaves and causes indentations on the leaf edges, although it is important to recognize the pest as other pests such as: B. locusts, can cause similar damage. The larvae of the weevil live in the soil and feed on the roots, preventing the plant from absorbing nutrients and water.
Suitable control agents
To thebiological methods of combating itincludes the purchase of parasitic nematodes against black weevils or predatory beetles. You can also hand-pick the adults from the plant at night while they are feeding. Finding these insects in the roots and leaves of your plants is unpleasant, but the problem can be solved. Weevils are also attracted to moisture. Therefore, at night you can put a shallow bowl of water in which they can climb and drown.
Fighting black weevils: chemical agents
Non-organic methods of weevil control include spraying the plant's leaves with a pesticide and thoroughly soaking the soil with a liquid pesticide. However, remember that you may also kill beneficial insects and small animals and that such products as a whole are harmful to the environment! Instead, weevils can be combated using home remedies and biological methods. We explain below why this is recommended.
Natural remedies are effective and environmentally friendly
- Maintain good garden hygiene, remove dead plants and do not mulch too much. Remove mulch and other hiding places around plants and water only when necessary (larvae and adults prefer moist soil).
- As non-flying insects, weevils move from plant to plant by walking. It stands to reason that sticky barriers or traps should be the first line of defense.
- Use 100% organic diatomaceous earth for long lastingProtection against pests. Made up of tiny fossilized aquatic organisms, it kills by scratching an insect's outer layer as it crawls over the fine powder. Diatomaceous earth contains NO toxic poisons!
- Immature stages of the black weevil are particularly susceptible to infestation by beneficial nematodes, especially on potted plants.
- Place burlap at the base of trees and shrubs to catch weevils hiding underneath them during the day.
Put up barriers in your garden
One of the best ways to keep weevils away from your plants is to put up barriers. Many gardeners like to use row covers, which can be an easy DIY project. All you need is a sturdy, weatherproof fabric and PVC or aluminum piping. You can also use protectants like sticky covering to secure your plants. These traps stop weevils from moving between plants, but unfortunately they do not prevent the pests from establishing themselves in your garden. You can also wrap your plant stems with tape. One option is clear Scotch tape.
Fighting black weevils: attracting predators
Weevils are often the prey of larger predators such as woodpeckers, birds, frogs, hedgehogs, ladybirds and praying mantises. Encouraging these types of predators is a natural and safe way to get rid of blackweeds in your garden. Attracting birds by setting up bird feeders or bird baths can helpKeep beetles under control, if placed near your garden. By the way, birds are more attracted to moving water!
Use neem oil as a control agent
Neem oil is another organic product that can be used to repel weevils and other pests. In general, neem oil aims to stop insect feeding by interrupting their feeding cycle.
