Safe treatment for root weevils

[beginnergirl]

Anybody use nematodes or permethrin? My girls are scratching up a storm where the obscure root weevils are. Don't know if they will be able to take care of the weevils. Don't use any chemicals. Can't remember which permethrin is natural, if it will work and whether it is safe. Thanks!

 

[lazy gardener]

I believe pyrethrin is the natural one, while permethrin is a synthetic. YOu can google search. Can you use a shovel to flip the soil where the infestation is to help them reach the bugs. What are root weevils? Got a pic? Where are you???

OK, I did a google search. What plants are they infesting? If the infested plants are ones that you are willing to let the chickens continue to work on, and if the chickens have daily access to the plants, you might wait it out and see what happens. They could give you all the "fix" you'll need. But, if the weevils are killing a prized ornamental or food crop, you might want to treat with one of the p...thrins. I had horrid Japanese lily beetle infestations. To the point where I'd given up on growing them. Chickens moved into that bed, and there was not a single JLB there this year. I bet those little larvae are pretty tasty, if you're a chicken!!

ETA: correction re: permethrin/pyrethrin.

 

[beginnergirl]

There are pictures of root weevils here:
http://www.collierarbor.com/probRootWeevil.php
They are eating rhododendrons, lilacs, oxalis and salal, all plants my chickens don't eat so I want to plant more.

Guess I will call our master gardener program that Oregon State runs to get more advice. I did read nematodes do not hurt other animals. They are tiny worms? so didn't know if they could live in chickens? I thought the big larvae I was finding in the soil adored by the girls might be root weevils. But root weevils are only 5-8 mm long! I found a lot of tiny larvae when gardening and tried giving them to the girls back in summer but they did not try them. Adult beetles also small and feed at night but hide in leaves on the ground. I've read about using sawdust around base of plants, DE and tanglefoot, which is sticky.

I will try turning over the soil too. That bed is filled with hundreds of bulbs so will see if the pullets will work on that bed like before. They always run to that bed first to forage when they get out of the coop. They are eating something but can't really see what it is. My BR is amazing at seeing and eating insects the others just look at. But am seeing more leaf damage so will look into nematodes if they are safe. Luckily there is no risk to pollinators from nematodes.

Thanks!

 

[lazy gardener]

Would you be comfortable putting your state or planting zone in your profile? It helps when doling out gardening info! Nematodes are a good way to go, though a bit on the pricey side. If you live in the north, like me, nematodes end up being a one shot deal, because a lot of them don't winter over in freezing temps. You have to apply them at the exact right time of the year, and under specific conditions, or your money will be totally wasted. You might check with your extension and see if there is a BT specific to these insects also. There are LOTS of different kinds of grubs. Most all are beetle larvae. Some that I find are almost as big as my thumb!

 

[beginnergirl]

Hi Lazy Gardener,
I'm in Oregon. We are zone 7. I was meaning to swing by the Master Gardener office but couldn't get there in time. Confused about whether I can treat with nematodes now or wait til spring.

I did put my region in my profile like you suggested. Am not sure how to put the words at the end of a post. Maybe that's where I can put more info on my tiny flock and zone.

I dug up some dirt around the rhododendron and the girls went right to work. So like you said, maybe they will help.

I love having chickens! Funny how each is SO different. I can call my BR over and show her a bug and it's gone. The others look at it from a few angles, might peck at it a few times and then leave it untouched.

We do have some pretty large black beetles here. Have no idea if they are helpful or not. I know I do love wasps as they eat the aphids. None of my animals has been bitten by the wasps. So the nematodes will be my first attempt to use anything other that soap and water to deal with pests... Not sure where to buy them but will ask locally.

 

[lazy gardener]

Your computer search engine is your best tool. Start there. I can easily loose an hour researching any topic or problem. That gets me headed in the right direction, and gives me just enough intelligence on the topic to be able to ask the right questions to be able to make a truly informed decision. Of course, realize that you're dealing with the internet. Just b/c something is written, it's not always absolute truth! You can even contact your county agricultural extension office by computer!

 

[beginnergirl]

Yes love Google. But was not coming up with enough info on nematodes and safety for chickens. And the Internet is filled with incorrect information.

 

[lazy gardener]

Nematodes are species specific, so they'd be fine around chickens. Same with BT.