Evil Weevils

Although I am not qualified to advise about the use of pesticides I would like to explain the current situation on vine weevil control and what we are doing to make sure we are supplying non-infested plants and what you can do to keep them that way. Two things are certain; vine-weevils have not gone away and we will never again have a golden bullet that will control them easily.  Regulatory issues mean that Vinil will not be coming back and the  current restrictions on neo-nicotinoids mean that there is very little choice and no product that will work all year round outside. We use Met-52 and as we grow everything under protection the compost temperatures will remain high enough to work throughout the period when eggs may be hatching. As yet we have seen no larvae but that could because we have been clear for so long and there is the possibility that a problem could develop. Therefore we watch for adults, or the signs that they are around and spraying to control them is an option.  We also check the crops for larvae. In the event of finding any then we will have to resort to nematode treatment and unfortunately this is going to become more of a regular procedure if you are growing outside. Met 52 does not last more than one season, and nor does the remaining permitted neonicotinoid, so you cannot rely on the compost volume of the liner still having vine-weevil killing contents and as eggs are laid close to the main stem this is the danger area. Using Met-52 in your compost will not be a sufficient control if you have adults present and some additional treatment will be necessary. And, by the way, if you think that this is an untenable situation and somebody will have to sort it, you are wrong. Government and regulators do no give a tinker's cuss about the viability or survival of ornamental horticulture. I shall now get down from my hobby horse and write something nice about plants for tomorrow.