[Grubbypaws]

This is my second year of growing strawberries in containers. With the arrival of the hot weather I noticed that some of the plants were not looking well despite having been fed and watered. Today I think I found the culprit. I was checking them over and came across a weevil. I presume she will not be alone. What is my best course of action given that I wont use any insecticides in my organic, bee loving allotment?

[Hampshire Hog]

RHS advises hunting them down by torchlight and picking them off.
Also suggests sticky pads and encouraging birds etc. to eat them.
Interestingly they say this is more of an issue with strawberries in containers, as I have some in pots and others at the plot I will be watching  to see which ones do best.

[Yorkie]

Vine weevils love strawberries, and their grubs do significant damage to the roots.

Nematodes are said to be effective and would not attack other creatures.

[Grubbypaws]

Vine weevils love strawberries, and their grubs do significant damage to the roots.

Nematodes are said to be effective and would not attack other creatures.

When is the best time to apply the nematodes?

[Yorkie]

I have no experience of using them, but I think it needs to be warm enough - which it should be now?

The grubs are what the nematodes attack - you'd see small white C-shaped grubs in the compost if you tipped it out for a bit - best to check whether that is the issue before spending money on them

https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/vine-weevil

[greenjay]

I would tip them out of their pots investigate and remove any grubs then replant hoping that there are still some roots left.

[MarkC]

I just gave up with them in pots and grow them in the ground where vine weevil isn't an issue for me at least.

[Grubbypaws]

The grubs are what the nematodes attack - you'd see small white C-shaped grubs in the compost if you tipped it out for a bit - best to check whether that is the issue before spending money on them

https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/vine-weevil

One of my plants was so poorly that I was unlikely to get any fruit so I dug it up. No roots left and lots of horrid vine weevil larvae  . I will leave the rest to crop but what should I do then? The plants are only in their 2nd year. Should I buy some nematodes or simply start again?

[Yorkie]

You have a decent chance of using nematodes successfully at this time of year.

[Grubbypaws]

You have a decent chance of using nematodes successfully at this time of year.

Nematodes deployed. Hopefully the affected plants will recover and fruit.