Root weevils(?) in my vegetable garden - Ask Extension
Hello,
My lettuce plants have a lot of what I think may be root weevils. Do you have any suggestions for treating them? I'd rather avoid pesticides...
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Root weevils(?) in my vegetable garden #832100
Asked May 25, 2023, 7:12 PM EDT
Hello,
My lettuce plants have a lot of what I think may be root weevils. Do you have any suggestions for treating them? I'd rather avoid pesticides if possible. I saw some suggestions to pick them off by hand but it's difficult to do when they are deep between the lettuce leaves
Thank you!
Lincoln County Oregon
Expert Response
Definitely looks like a root weevil.
Here are some non-pesticide controls beyond hand picking that you may want to try:
- Apply beneficial nematodes, e.g., Steinernema or Heterorhabditis, as a soil drench as long as soil temperature is over 42 deg F. Follow label instructions.
- Dust vegetable grade diatomaceous earth at base of plants (may not work as well as lettuce leaves usually touch the ground)
- Set up pitfall traps - sink cups into the soil with the lip even with the soil surface - partially fill the cups with water & soap. Keep in mind that this trap is not exclusive to root weevils and may trap beneficials as well.
Here are some non-pesticide controls beyond hand picking that you may want to try:
- Apply beneficial nematodes, e.g., Steinernema or Heterorhabditis, as a soil drench as long as soil temperature is over 42 deg F. Follow label instructions.
- Dust vegetable grade diatomaceous earth at base of plants (may not work as well as lettuce leaves usually touch the ground)
- Set up pitfall traps - sink cups into the soil with the lip even with the soil surface - partially fill the cups with water & soap. Keep in mind that this trap is not exclusive to root weevils and may trap beneficials as well.
