Little white maggots in avocado soil

anab87

I've been growing my avocado plant and it's looking like a little tree now, which I'm really happy with. However, I've noticed white maggots that spring around when the soil gets disturbed or when I water it. I don't know what to do to get rid of them, but a friend has suggested re-potting the plant and washing its roots?

Dovefromabove

They sound like Springtails ... they don't do any damage but are an indication that the potting compost is probably too wet ... allow it to dry out more between waterings and put the pot in a saucer with gravel so that it can drain freely.

anab87

Thanks so much for your reply

TheChunk

This thread has just reminded me about these little blighters that I recently found in the compost of a large pot with a hardy Fuschia growing in it.

Do you think they would be the same thing Dovefromabove? It is in quite a sheltered damp spot.

Bright star

Those look like Vine weevil grubs to me. 

BobTheGardener

@TheChunk: Yep, vine weevil and a real problem as they'll eat all of the roots eventually.  They much prefer potted plants to those grown in the ground.  My preference is to treat with Vine weevil nematodes as those won't harm beneficial insects like insecticides do.  On small plants you can wash the roots and replant in fresh growing medium.  Once you have gotten rid of them, putting a 3-5cm layer of grit on the top of all your pots will help prevent them returning.

Dovefromabove

Yes ... what Bob said