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Post by Biggles on Dec 16, 2008 23:27:00 GMT 1
Just thought I would start a 'Thread' on Garden Pests and maybe members would like to contribute to the discussion on how they deal with them. I will start off with Vine Weevil-- At this time of year when we are putting our plants to rest for the Winter-and before taking any pots into the Greenhouse--Have a good look for these Pests-- Alot of damage is done to the roots before we notice and then the plant dies on us!! This is a photograph of an Adult Vine Weevil--  Grubs  Damage to Leaves  I use Pravdo Vine Weevil Killer solution in Spring and then again about August/September. When examining your plants before putting them in the greenhouse if you find any Grubs--dispose of the soil and 'wash' the roots in this solution then replace fresh compost. Put the infected soil in the Bin not the compost heap!!--Bigs |
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Post by maggyd on Dec 16, 2008 23:30:45 GMT 1
Yes I wish Id seen a post like that last year Biggs I had trouble with a citrus tree Id had out for the summer.
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Post by debbiem on Dec 17, 2008 14:53:48 GMT 1
The bits chomped out of that leaf look very familiar! But my main adversaries, by far, are the good old slug and snail. Our garden is surrounded by very old stone walls, snail heaven!
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Post by madonplants on Dec 18, 2008 11:37:28 GMT 1
Just thought I would start a 'Thread' on Garden Pests and maybe members would like to contribute to the discussion on how they deal with them. I will start off with Vine Weevil-- At this time of year when we are putting our plants to rest for the Winter-and before taking any pots into the Greenhouse--Have a good look for these Pests-- Alot of damage is done to the roots before we notice and then the plant dies on us!! This is a photograph of an Adult Vine Weevil-- Grubs Damage to Leaves I use Pravdo Vine Weevil Killer solution in Spring and then again about August/September. When examining your plants before putting them in the greenhouse if you find any Grubs--dispose of the soil and 'wash' the roots in this solution then replace fresh compost. Put the infected soil in the Bin not the compost heap!!--Bigs Why don't you put the infected soil somewhere 'safe' and let the birds find all the grubs. It would help them too, if you haven't used a pesticide on the grubs, that is! I don't use Provado, but the nematodes and had quite a bit of success with them. |
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Post by floweringcherry on Dec 18, 2008 12:41:39 GMT 1
Like most people I have had problems with Vine Weevil. I am often out after dark with a torch to pick them off plants as they feed at night. I find this keeps the problem to a minimum. ;D
I use Provado in my pots, but in case anyone doesn't know, it must not be used on edible plants or fruits or in the open soil.
I have used nematodes a few years ago and found them very effective.
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Post by Biggles on Dec 29, 2008 22:40:42 GMT 1
I have found the hardest part with Vine Weevils is 'killing' the Adult because it has such a hard body and the only way I can dispose of it is to use my Foot!--but there must be a better way--
I have heard that some people use a smear of vaseline round the Rim of the container (like a barrier) to prevent the Adult from reaching the soil.
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Post by maggyd on Dec 29, 2008 23:11:56 GMT 1
Dont they have wings then? I know they have big suckers for feet!!
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Post by Biggles on Dec 30, 2008 12:17:37 GMT 1
 As far as I know I am sure they dont fly--just crawl around. I have heard that Vaseline round the rim of containers stop them getting onto the soil. They look horrible dont they? |
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Post by Biggles on Dec 30, 2008 12:21:48 GMT 1
The bits chomped out of that leaf look very familiar! But my main adversaries, by far, are the good old slug and snail. Our garden is surrounded by very old stone walls, snail heaven! Anyone with suggestions for Slugs and Snails? At this time of year when the soil is turned over the eggs of Slugs and Snails are exposed -maybe the Frost then kills these eggs--I really dont know--other members may have an answer-Bigs |
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Post by maggyd on Dec 30, 2008 17:34:31 GMT 1
I have two containers full of ground coffee! that Im keeping to scatter round my plants I read a tip somewhere that they wont cross it!! We'll see! I wouldnt worry at this time of year as the blackies are turning and scattering about looking for food, I also read that you can get a copper tape to put round the rim of pots that slugs wont cross. Biggs you know I said about suckers on the feet of weavels! you cant see on that pic! but I caught one and put it in a jar with a lid because at that time I had never seen one before  it was climbing up the sides of the jar with these little suckers they must just come out when needed. Horrible little blighters.  |
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Post by debbiem on Dec 30, 2008 17:43:30 GMT 1
That'll be interesting, to see how the coffee works Maggy. Apart from the odd one or two, I just keep to plants that they won't eat, luckily there's quite a range. Unfortunately I also have to have plants that the chickens won't destroy/eat as well....that all works fine until the chickens decide they do actually like something that they didn't bother with before, my poor old Hydrangea being the present victim! They've scoffed the living daylights out of - one has to be one step ahead all the time if you keep chickens! We have a lot of hanging baskets in our garden, out of reach of the hens and fingers crossed not visited by the slugs and snails.......... |
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Post by maggyd on Dec 30, 2008 22:22:33 GMT 1
The little monkeys  cant you corden them off? I didnt know chickens would eat your plants doesnt it give them gippy stomachs! do they eat the slugs and snails? |
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Post by Sweetleaf on Dec 30, 2008 23:33:48 GMT 1
Coffee grounds are agonisingly painful to slugs, I heard! Like a nerve toxin, not a nice way to go  Not sure how I feel about that. |
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Post by Biggles on Mar 6, 2009 20:44:06 GMT 1
Apart from Slugs and Snails what other Pest should we look out for during the coming season? I have mentioned the Vine Weevil but can you think of any other ones we should be on the look out for and how to prevent/ kill them?
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Post by blacky on Mar 14, 2009 22:38:00 GMT 1
i collect any snails and slugs and put them on the bird table they all get eaten
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Post by Sleepy on Mar 14, 2009 22:40:10 GMT 1
i collect any snails and slugs and put them on the bird table they all get eaten I once saw a thrush bashing a shell off a snail, only to have it stolen by a blackbird. Apparently both of these occurences are quite common, but I was thrilled to see it just the once.Still felt sorry for the thrush though. |
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Post by karenwl on Mar 14, 2009 22:42:39 GMT 1
just crush them ;D sorry if that sound cruel if not get them and throw them as far as you can or flush them down an outside drain a few times i have ;D
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